Jharkhand High Court acquits jail warden who ‘helped’ murder accused escape in 2006

The Jharkhand High Court has acquitted a head warden who was previously convicted for allegedly aiding the escape of a murder suspect in 2006. The court ruled that charges based on suspicion and unverified testimony were not sufficient to establish criminal liability. The head warden had been convicted and sentenced to five years in prison after an undertrial prisoner escaped from the jail and was later arrested with weapons and money.

The court noted that the evidence against the warden was based on the testimony of a gate guard, who claimed that he was directed to leave his post to pluck mangoes and had his keys taken while the escape occurred. However, the court found this testimony unverified and noted that the guard himself was in charge of the keys at the time of the escape, making his account suspicious.

The court also highlighted flaws in the investigation, including the failure to inspect relevant official records and the prosecution's inability to prove conspiracy.