7 Kashimpur jail officials suspended

Seven officers and staff, including prison guards, have been suspended over the escape of a 21-year-old female inmate from Kashimpur Women’s Central Jail in Gazipur, with a preliminary probe finding negligence in duty.

The suspended officials are Matron Laila Anjuman Sumi, Matron Marina, Matron Rehana, and women prison guards Shaila, Sharmin, Jemi and Asma.

Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Prisons Md Jannatul Farhad confirmed the action on Saturday, saying the suspension was imposed after the preliminary investigation found evidence of negligence.

She said an investigation was continuing to determine how an inmate managed to escape despite strict security arrangements.

The fugitive inmate, identified as Rimpa, daughter of Hasan from Raypur area of Gangni upazila in Meherpur, was serving a three-month sentence handed down by a mobile court under Dhanmondi Police Station in Dhaka.

According to prison sources, around 40 female inmates were carrying bricks inside the prison on Thursday evening when Rimpa allegedly took advantage of a lapse in supervision.

She climbed along the cornice of the wall beside the prison office building and escaped over the boundary wall.

Following the incident, prison authorities conducted a search inside the jail but failed to locate her.

The escape was later confirmed after authorities reviewed CCTV footage.
Alongside police, other law enforcement agencies are working to arrest the escaped inmate.

AIG Farhad said the investigation would also examine how the security breach occurred.

Meanwhile, prison authorities have filed a case with Konabari Police Station over the incident, said Officer-in-Charge Iftekhar Hossain.