Two senior jail officials in Odisha have filed police complaints against each other. This unusual development follows the escape of two murder accused from Choudwar circle jail in Cuttack on October 2, 2025. The incident has left the state prisons directorate deeply embarrassed.
Officials Trade Serious Allegations
Jail senior superintendent Sujit Kumar Raula and former jailer Santoshini Dash have both lodged First Information Reports. Each official accuses the other of serious misconduct and negligence that allegedly enabled the prison break.
The Dramatic Escape
The fugitives, identified as Raja Sahani and Madhukanta Kumar from Bihar, managed to scale the walls of the high-security prison. Their escape occurred during Durga Puja festivities being held inside the jail premises. Despite an extensive manhunt launched by authorities, both men remain at large.
Immediate Fallout and Transfers
Following the escape, prison authorities took swift disciplinary action. Two warders received immediate suspension. Santoshini Dash, who served as jailer at Choudwar prison at the time of the incident, faced transfer to Kantabanji sub-jail in Balangir district. Officials also ordered a formal probe into the jailbreak.
Detailed Allegations Emerge
Dash's Complaint Against Raula
On Saturday, Santoshini Dash filed her complaint at Choudwar police station. She accused Sujit Kumar Raula of framing her in connection with the escape case. Her FIR makes several specific allegations.
Dash claims Raula was absent without proper authorization on the night the inmates escaped. She alleges he later manipulated official records, specifically the gate in-out register, to falsely show his presence at the jail. Furthermore, she accuses him of forging her signature in the minute book to shift blame onto her.
"This act was done with an ulterior motive to fabricate evidence, mislead authorities and falsely implicate me while shielding himself in the jailbreak case," her FIR stated clearly.
Raula's Counter-Complaint
Sujit Kumar Raula responded with his own police complaint on Sunday. He accused Santoshini Dash of dereliction of duty and indirectly facilitating the escape. Raula claims Dash held responsibility for overall jail security at the time.
His FIR alleges Dash allowed the two inmates to step out of their cells twice without obtaining his permission. "CCTV footage shows she failed to escort them to the puja pandal, reflecting gross negligence. She did not take my permission to take the two inmates out of their cells," Raula's complaint stated.
Additional Accusations Surface
Raula's complaint goes beyond the escape incident. He accuses Dash of multiple other violations during her tenure. These include allegations of assaulting prisoners, misappropriating canteen funds, and failing to maintain proper discipline during office hours.
Both officials have dismissed each other's allegations as completely baseless. The situation has created a remarkable standoff between two senior prison administrators.
Police and Prison Authorities Respond
Local police have registered cases based on both complaints. Deputy Commissioner of Police Rishikesh Khilari confirmed the development. "We are verifying their charges," Khilari stated, indicating the police will investigate the competing claims.
The prisons directorate acknowledged awareness of the two FIRs involving their officials. A senior prisons official confirmed an internal inquiry into the jailbreak is already underway. "We are aware of the two FIRs involving our officials. Police will investigate," the official said, maintaining that proper procedures will be followed.
The situation highlights significant tensions within Odisha's prison administration following a major security breach. The competing FIRs between senior officials represent an extraordinary development in what was already a serious criminal investigation.
