In a bid to clamp down on jail inmates who are absconding since release on parole and furlough leaves during the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Police headquarters has directed all police units to track down such absconding inmates and register offences against them. As many as 573 jail inmates are absconding in Maharashtra since they were released on emergency parole during the pandemic. In Nagpur, 36 inmates are yet to return to the jail, which poses a significant threat to the society.

 

To address the situation, Suhas Warke, Special Inspector General of Police (Law and Order), issued orders directing all police units to register offences against such jail inmates and immediately arrest them and bring them back to jail. Commissioner of Police (CP) Amitesh Kumar said that the Nagpur police have already registered offences against four of the absconding inmates, and cases against the remaining inmates would be filed soon. A retired police official said that the issue of absconding inmates was a serious one, as these individuals were a potential threat to the society. Senior police officials have raised concerns about such a large number of prisoners being out of jail, he said.

 

The move by the State Police to crack down on absconding inmates is likely to send a strong message to those who may be considering flouting the law, he added. A police official said that the department would continue to act tough on the absconding inmates, and ensure that they were brought back to the jail. The COVID-19 pandemic had forced many States to release prisoners on emergency parole or furlough to decongest jails and reduce the risk of spreading the infection within the prison. However, some inmates took undue advantage of the situation and did not return, resulting in this predicament.