Faridabad Jail 'Accidentally' Releases Rape-Accused Inmate In Embarrassing Mix-Up Of Identities
The inmate wrongly released remains at large, prompting an investigation into potential staff involvement and security lapses in identity verification.
A bizarre and embarrassing case of mistaken identity took place at a jail in Faridabad when the authorities released the wrong inmate.
According to the police, the authorities "accidentally" released an inmate, jailed for allegedly raping a minor boy in place of the person who was granted bail by the court because both had a similar name, Nitesh and father's name.
The first is Nitesh Pandey, 27, who was arrested on October 2021 for repeatedly raping a nine-year-old boy in Faridabad's Sector-58. His father's name is Ravinder Pandey.
The second is also Nitesh, 24 and goes only by his first name. He was jailed in the same prison on Sunday in a case of house trespass and assault—his father's name, also Ravinder.
Wrong Nitesh
The second Nitesh, who was accused of a minor scuffle, secured bail from a Faridabad court and was awaiting his release. However, when he asked why he hadn't been released yet, the embarrassing mix-up came to the fore.
“As per procedure, Nitesh was to be released from jail on Tuesday. But instead, jail authorities freed Nitesh Pandey—the rape accused—who then vanished,” a senior police officer told Hindustan Times.
Panicked jail authorities hurriedly went through the records, prompting an emergency security alert.
'Lapses At Several Levels'
The police officer said there were lapses at several levels, adding verification of identity and address was "clearly skipped".
"The fact that both men listed their father’s name as Ravinder seems to have confused—and Pandey appears to have exploited it," he added.
Authorities have also not ruled out the possibility of inside help. “There’s a chance that jail staff connived with Pandey, but we’ll know more after a detailed inquiry,” the officer added.
The escaped prisoner, who is yet to be traced and nabbed has been booked in another FIR at Ballabhgarh Sadar police station.
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