Raipur, August 22 — A major security lapse came to light on Thursday when an inmate escaped from Raipur Central Jail. The fugitive, identified as Chandraveer Singh, had been serving a sentence under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act since 2021.
According to jail officials, the escape occurred between 2:00 and 2:30 p.m. when five inmates were taken near an under-construction women’s barrack for welding work. Taking advantage of a lapse in supervision, Chandraveer managed to flee from custody.
In July 2024, a special NDPS court had sentenced him to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of ₹3 lakh. In default of payment, an additional six-year sentence had been prescribed.
The escape has raised serious concerns over the functioning of the jail administration. The matter is considered especially sensitive given that Raipur Central Jail houses notorious Naxal leaders, members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, and even Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.
Official records reveal that Raipur Central Jail, built to accommodate 1,586 inmates, currently houses over 3,000 prisoners, with nearly 85% of them under trial. Across Chhattisgarh’s 33 prisons, more than 20,000 inmates are lodged against a sanctioned capacity of just 14,883, worsening the challenge of maintaining order and security.
Nearly 40% of the inmates in Raipur jail face charges of murder, rape, or abduction. Depending on behavior and skills, prisoners are assigned tasks such as cooking, gardening, soap and candle making, sculpture work, poultry farming, plumbing, and electrical fitting. While most tasks are performed inside the premises, some involve restricted external work, creating further security vulnerabilities.
Following the escape, multiple police teams have been deployed to trace the fugitive, and alerts have been issued in neighboring districts. The incident has once again underscored the urgent need for prison reforms and a comprehensive review of security measures.
