Notorious Criminals Escape from Odisha’s Choudwar Circle Jail, Echoing 1976 Rourkela Breakout

In a shocking incident that has jolted Odisha’s law enforcement machinery, two notorious Bihar-based criminals escaped from Choudwar Circle Jail on the evening of October 3. The jailbreak has drawn parallels to the infamous Rourkela Prison escape of 1976.

The Escape

The fugitives — Raja Sahani of Begusarai and Madhukant Kumar of Saran — were lodged in Choudwar Jail for their alleged involvement in a gruesome double murder and robbery case at Panikoili in Jajpur on January 4. Despite the high-security setup, the duo managed to slip past guards and scale the jail’s security cordon, exposing major lapses in prison management.

Echoes of 1976 Rourkela Jailbreak

The incident is eerily reminiscent of the 1976 escape of the dreaded criminal Sadalal Gupta, who was wanted in over eight murder cases across several states. Gupta’s dramatic flight during the Emergency had embarrassed the Odisha Police and triggered sweeping reforms — including the appointment of IPS officer A.B. Tripathi as Inspector General of Prisons and the introduction of professional warder training at police schools.

Recurring Pattern of Escapes

Odisha’s prisons have witnessed a disturbing trend of jailbreaks over the last decade. Official records from the State Prison Department reveal that more than 67 inmates — both convicts and undertrials — have escaped custody in the past nine years. There were 12 jailbreaks in 2019, 10 in 2018, and six recorded as recently as 2023. Alarmingly, many of these escapees remain untraced.

Internal Collusion Suspected

A senior IPS officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, hinted at possible insider involvement, stating that an escape from a fortified prison like Choudwar is nearly impossible without assistance from within. This revelation has intensified scrutiny of prison staff and revived debates on the need for systemic reform.

Public Outrage and Police Action

Following the jailbreak, Commissionerate Police announced a reward of ₹50,000 for any information leading to the capture of Sahani and Kumar. However, their whereabouts remain unknown. The daring escape has triggered widespread public anger and renewed concerns over Odisha’s prison security and surveillance infrastructure.