Srinagar, Aug 26, KNT: Two undertrial prisoners facing separate cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, who had escaped from Central Jail Srinagar on August 23, have been traced to Rajgarh in Rajasthan’s Churu district and arrested, officials said.
The two have been identified as Farman Khan, a resident of Rajasthan, and Mukhtar Ahmad Gujjar, a resident of Anantnag.
According to officials, Srinagar Police, with assistance from Rajasthan Police, traced the duo to Rajgarh and apprehended them after a three-day search operation.
Police parties from Srinagar have already left for Rajasthan to take custody of the two and bring them back to Srinagar.
Farman Khan was lodged in Central Jail Srinagar in connection with FIR No. 19/2026 registered at Police Station Lar under Sections 137(2) and 87 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act.
Mukhtar Ahmad Gujjar was facing proceedings in FIR No. 20/2026 registered at Police Station Soura under Sections 137(2) and 65(1) of the BNS and Sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act.
The duo had allegedly escaped from the high-security prison on August 23, following which police issued lookout notices and launched a manhunt across the Valley and beyond.
Their arrest brings an end to the immediate search for the two escapees, while investigation into the circumstances surrounding their escape from Central Jail Srinagar is continuing. [KNT]
