Three convicted prisoners broke out of Kalaburagi Central Prison in Karnataka early Tuesday, sparking a massive manhunt and raising concerns about prison security. The escape occurred around 3 a.m. when the inmates scaled a 15 to 20-foot-high wall using a makeshift rope made of blankets, clothes, and pillow covers. The police have issued a statewide alert, and investigations are ongoing to determine if there was any assistance from jail staff or insiders.
The escaped prisoners, identified as Mastaan, Santosh, and Sagar, were all convicted in a murder case. They managed to flee after climbing over the prison wall. A case has been filed at the Farhatabad Police Station in Kalaburagi, and the authorities are actively investigating the incident. Kalaburagi Police Commissioner S.D. Sharanappa, accompanied by senior police officials, visited the prison site to assess the situation.
Preliminary findings suggest that the inmates had been planning the escape for several days. There are suspicions of insider involvement in the breakout, with questions arising about why the prisoners were able to leave their cells at the time of the escape. Despite the prison’s security measures, including round-the-clock surveillance and CISF personnel, the three inmates managed to evade capture, leading to concerns about a significant security lapse.
Authorities are treating the incident as a serious breach of security and are contemplating disciplinary actions against negligent prison officers. Investigations are underway, including the review of CCTV footage, interrogation of prison staff, and scrutiny of potential external assistance to the escaped inmates. A statewide search operation has been launched, and a high alert has been issued across Karnataka to locate and apprehend the fugitives.
