From Jail In Charge To Inmate: Rajasthan Jailer Arrested Over Alleged Use Of Prisoners For Housework
Jaipur: A suspended jail official accused of taking two female prisoners out of Ajmer Central Jail and making them clean her private flat has been arrested in Kota after nearly two months on the run, police said. Divya Chaudhary was arrested on October 7 and subsequently produced before a court, which remanded her to judicial custody.
The case has raised serious questions about prison security and the alleged misuse of official authority. Police are continuing their search for another accused, female jail guard Sonia Chaudhary, who remains absconding.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (North) Shivam Joshi, the incident took place on July 12, when Divya allegedly took two women inmates, identified as Kiran and Sana, out of the prison in a private vehicle. Both women were serving life sentences in separate murder cases.
Investigators allege that the prisoners were taken to Divya’s private flat in ARG City, Ajmer, where they were made to carry out cleaning work. Their removal from the prison allegedly took place without court permission and without the mandatory entry being made in official jail records.
Staff Allegedly Objected to Prisoners Being Taken Out
Police said the alleged incident did not go unchallenged within the prison. Divya and Sonia allegedly threatened female staff members at the jail’s main gate when they objected to the inmates being taken outside.
The two prisoners were later brought back to the jail, and a report was submitted to senior officials, according to the police account.
A case was registered at Ajmer’s Civil Lines police station on August 5. Following the incident, both Divya and Sonia were suspended from service.
Technical Evidence Led Police to Kota
After Divya reportedly remained out of reach for nearly two months, investigators used technical evidence to trace her location. Police eventually tracked her to a residential flat in Kota, where she was arrested on October 7.
Her arrest marks a significant development in the investigation, while the search for Sonia continues. Police have not reported her arrest as of October 9.
The allegations centre on the unauthorised removal of inmates from a secure correctional facility and their alleged use for personal household work. The absence of court permission and official movement records forms a key part of the case described by investigators.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against the accused will be subject to the legal process. The case also places renewed focus on the safeguards intended to prevent prisoners from being moved outside prison premises without proper authorisation and accountability.
ALSO READ: UP Teacher Taps Student’s Head Like Drum, Laughs; Suspended After Video Goes Viral