Kalaburagi: Three convicts escaped from Kalaburagi Central Jail in the early hours of Tuesday after allegedly scaling the prison’s compound wall, triggering a massive manhunt and raising fresh concerns over security at the high-security facility.The jailbreak occurred around 4.30am at the Central Jail on Jewargi Road on the outskirts of the city. The incident assumes significance as it took place in the home district of home minister Priyank Kharge.The escaped prisoners have been identified as Mastan of Islampur in Basavakalyan taluk, Santosh of Santapur village in Aurad taluk, and Sagar of Bakkachowdi village in Bidar taluk. All three are from Bidar district and were serving prison terms in different criminal cases. Sources said they were lodged in Barrack No 5.Kalaburagi police commissioner Sharanappa SD, who visited the prison along with senior officials, said police received information about the escape around 4.30am.Speaking to reporters, he said three special teams, led by ACPs, had been constituted under the supervision of deputy commissioner of police (law and order) Shalu to trace the escaped convicts. A case has been registered at Farhatabad police station.According to police, construction work was underway inside the prison. The convicts allegedly used a ladder kept at the site to scale the compound wall, crossed the electrified security fence, and used a T-shirt and a towel as a makeshift rope to climb down before fleeing.The incident came just a day after police commissioner Sharanappa SD and other senior officers inspected the prison’s security arrangements. Investigators are examining CCTV footage and probing how the inmates breached the security system. They are also investigating whether the escape was aided by anyone from inside or outside the prison.Following the jailbreak, ADGP (prisons) Alok Kumar ordered the suspension of Kalaburagi Central Jail superintendent Rakesh Kamble. Senior prison department sources said Krishnakumar has been directed to take charge as the new superintendent and is expected to assume office by Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.The escape marks the second major security lapse in the region within weeks. On July 3, a Pocso case accused escaped from Afzalpur police station after being brought there following his arrest in connection with a case registered a week earlier.
