Jharkhand: 21 Juvenile Detainees Escape From Chaibasa Observation Home, Police Launch Manhunt

The police said some 21 juvenile detainees escaped from the Juvenile Observation Home of Chaibasa after breaking down the centre’s gate and attacking a few guards at 5 pm Tuesday.

Representational Image | Twenty-one juvenile detainees escaped from an observation home in Chaibasa, Jharkhand, after breaking down the gate and attacking guards.

Source : ABPLIVE AI

Twenty-one juvenile detainees have escaped from an observation home in Chaibasa, West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. The incident has stirred a row in the state with former chief minister Babulal Marandi's demand for a high-level probe and immediate detention of the inmates, stating that they could “become a threat to society”

According to a report by the Indian Express, the police said some 21 juvenile detainees escaped from the Juvenile Observation Home of Chaibasa after breaking down the centre’s gate and attacking a few guards at 5 pm Tuesday. The incident took place while the tribal festival of Sarhul was being celebrated across the state.

Police sources indicated that they also vandalised the property and destroyed the CCTV cameras. The police also confirmed that four of the 21 have since been traced and returned.

“All 21 juveniles together escaped from the Chaibasa Observation Home, which is operated by the District Social Welfare Office, following an act of vandalism. Upon receiving the information, immediate action was taken, and four juveniles have been traced and brought back to the facility. Efforts are ongoing to locate and return the remaining detainees," a statement issued by the state’s social welfare department. 

According to an officer, three of the four individuals who returned did so at the urging of their parents, while the fourth was apprehended with the assistance of local residents.  

Investigation Underway

West Singhbhum Superintendent of Police (SP) Ashutosh Shekhar stated that an investigation is currently in progress. “Since responsibility for overseeing and managing the centre lies with the Department of Social Welfare, they will provide an update on this matter. They have already initiated an inquiry and will share the details once it is completed. We are also doing our job,” he said, and added that a total of 85 juveniles are housed in the centres across Chaibasa and Saraikela districts.

After the incident, Women and Child Welfare Department Director Samira S launched an inspection. In addition, the former chief minister and the current leader of the Opposition, Babulal Marandi, sought a high-level investigation. “The primary purpose behind juvenile reformatory homes is to connect the misguided teenagers with the mainstream of the society, however the incident shows that the government is just doing a formality and being ignorant with security arrangements,” he said on X. 

चाईबासा के बाल सुधार गृह से बड़ी संख्या में बाल कैदियों के फरार होने की घटना सुरक्षा व्यवस्था में गंभीर चूक को दर्शाती है।

बाल सुधार गृह का उद्देश्य भटके हुए किशोरों को समाज की मुख्यधारा से जोड़ना होता है, लेकिन चाईबासा की यह घटना दर्शाती है कि सरकार बाल सुधार गृह के नाम पर… pic.twitter.com/5D1Zgnuznt

— Babulal Marandi (@yourBabulal) April 2, 2025

“CM Hemant Soren Sir, all the absconding teenagers should be brought back as soon as possible and proper counseling should be arranged for them, otherwise they may become a threat to society," he added.

Notably, Chaibasa serves as the district’s administrative headquarters and is home to several high-ranking officials, including the DIG and the Kolhan Divisional Commissioner.