In a serious security lapse, two undertrial prisoners facing charges under the Arms Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act managed to escape from the district jail at Anaugi in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, officials reported on Monday. The escape has prompted an immediate inquiry into jail security and raised concerns over administrative oversight.

The escapees have been identified as Ankit and Dimpy alias Shiva, both of whom were lodged in the district jail while awaiting trial. According to preliminary reports, the prisoners carried out the escape during the early hours under the cover of darkness, exploiting a weakness in the jail’s security arrangements. Investigators believe that the inmates tied together blankets to fashion a makeshift rope, which they used to scale the high boundary wall of the facility. The blankets were later discovered hanging from the wall during a routine morning headcount, providing the first indication of the breach.

Authorities suspect that the escape may have coincided with belated New Year celebrations within the jail, which may have created a distraction and weakened vigilance. Preliminary findings indicate that the prisoners took advantage of this temporary lapse to flee the premises.

The incident prompted District Magistrate Ashutosh Mohan Agnihotri and Police Superintendent Vinod Kumar to visit the jail immediately and order a formal inquiry into the escape. The focus of the inquiry will include possible negligence by the jail administration, the decision to allow festivities that may have compromised security, and lapses in routine monitoring procedures.

The jail superintendent, Bheem Sen Mukund, was unavailable for comment, with his phone reportedly switched off, further complicating immediate accountability measures.

A Kannauj police statement confirmed that multiple teams have been formed to trace the fugitives, with operations underway in surrounding districts to locate and apprehend the escaped prisoners. The police have also warned that departmental action would be initiated against officials found responsible for failing to prevent the escape.

This incident has raised serious concerns about the security protocols in Uttar Pradesh prisons, especially regarding undertrial inmates charged with serious offences under central laws such as the Arms Act and POCSO Act. Both statutes carry significant penalties, and the escape of such prisoners not only poses a risk to public safety but also undermines public confidence in prison administration.

The Arms Act governs the possession, manufacture, and trafficking of firearms and other weapons, with violations attracting stringent imprisonment terms and fines. Meanwhile, cases under the POCSO Act involve sexual offences against minors, and those accused are subject to strict custodial protocols to prevent flight risk and ensure protection of evidence and victims.

Security experts have pointed out that the method of escape—using improvised tools like tied blankets—highlights systemic weaknesses in perimeter monitoring, surveillance, and inmate management. In high-risk facilities, such oversights can result in serious consequences, and authorities may need to re-evaluate protocols for festivals or other events that could affect normal operational vigilance.

Local residents and activists have expressed concern over the incident, emphasizing the need for greater accountability in prison administration. The Kannauj jail, like many district facilities across India, faces challenges in balancing security with the welfare of inmates, but escapes of this nature highlight the consequences of administrative lapses.

Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings of the fugitives, stressing that Ankit and Dimpy alias Shiva should not be approached directly due to the seriousness of the charges they face.

This incident comes at a time when prison security has been under scrutiny nationwide, with several states recently facing criticism over undertrial escapes and lapses in jail management. Experts say that robust surveillance, timely headcounts, and strict adherence to standard operating procedures are crucial in preventing similar incidents in the future.

The ongoing inquiry will likely examine whether the escape was facilitated by procedural lapses or other internal negligence, and whether jail officials allowed undue leniency during celebrations, compromising the facility’s safety. The findings of the inquiry may lead to disciplinary action against responsible personnel, including possible suspension or other departmental measures.

In the meantime, law enforcement agencies across Uttar Pradesh have been alerted, with checkpoints established on major highways, and teams deployed in neighbouring districts to prevent the escapees from fleeing the region.

The Kannauj district administration has assured the public that all measures are being taken to recapture the prisoners swiftly, and that lessons from this escape will be incorporated into future security planning and prison management policies.

The escape serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by India’s prison system, where overcrowding, resource limitations, and administrative lapses can create opportunities for undertrial prisoners to flee, even while facing serious charges.

Officials emphasized that the investigation will scrutinize every aspect of the incident—from jail routines to the conduct of staff during celebrations—to ensure that accountability is fixed and corrective measures implemented. The administration has also stated that steps will be taken to strengthen perimeter security, improve surveillance systems, and prevent such incidents from recurring.

As the search for Ankit and Dimpy alias Shiva continues, authorities have reiterated the seriousness of the offences they are accused of, warning the public against sheltering or aiding the escapees in any way, as this would constitute a criminal offence under Indian law.

The escape has prompted discussions at both state and district levels regarding the adequacy of prison infrastructure, staffing, and security protocols, especially during periods of relaxed supervision such as festivals. Lawmakers and civil society representatives are expected to follow the inquiry closely, seeking improvements in undertrial management and preventive measures to ensure public safety.

The case remains under active investigation, and updates are expected in the coming days as police and prison authorities intensify efforts to recapture the fugitives and assess the accountability of the jail administration.