Three Bangladeshis who escaped from Jharkhand detention camp arrested: Police
Hazaribag, Jharkhand – June 10, 2025: Police have recaptured three Bangladeshi nationals who fled a detention centre inside Jharkhand’s Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Central Jail. The escape took place late on June 9. Officers tracked and arrested them within 24 hours after launching a state-wide manhunt.
The three detainees—Reena Khan (also known as Fina Devi), Nipah Akhtar Khushi, and Mohammad Nazmul Hang—had completed their sentences under the Foreigners Act. However, delays in deportation kept them in custody. Their escape has renewed serious concerns over detention centre security and immigration protocols.
How They Escaped
The trio broke a rear window and used iron rods to exit their barracks. At the time, six guards were on duty—three men and three women—but all of them were asleep in the verandah. Authorities confirmed this lapse through security footage and staff interviews.
The escape occurred between midnight and 3 a.m. Jail staff discovered the breakout during the early morning headcount. Officers quickly raised the alarm and informed the local police.
Swift Police Response
The Hazaribag police formed a Special Investigation Team led by DSP Amit Kumar Anand. They worked with the Railway Protection Force and West Bengal Police to track the suspects.
By the next evening, police had arrested all three:
- Officers found Reena Khan at Dhanbad Railway Station.
- They arrested Nipah and Nazmul in Bongaon, a town near the India-Bangladesh border in North 24 Parganas.
Police returned them to the Hazaribag detention centre under tighter security. All three now face fresh charges under the Indian Penal Code for escaping legal custody.
A Pattern of Failures
This isn’t the first escape from this facility. In fact, it’s the third since 2021. Two earlier incidents remain unresolved, and the escaped individuals are still missing.
The detention centre, located within the central jail, consists of only two rooms and basic barbed-wire fencing. Officials admit it wasn’t designed for long-term confinement. Overcrowding, limited surveillance, and staff fatigue have worsened conditions.
Following the latest escape, authorities suspended all six security personnel on duty. The jail administration also began a detailed inquiry into the breach.
Why Were They Still in Custody?
Though the three had completed their sentences, Indian officials could not deport them. The delay happened because Bangladesh had not issued the required travel documents.
In such cases, foreign nationals remain in detention until the home country confirms their identity and agrees to take them back. The process often drags on for months, sometimes years.
This legal and diplomatic limbo leaves many detainees stuck in substandard facilities. Their prolonged stay increases the risk of unrest or escape.
Political Reactions and Public Concerns
The incident sparked criticism from various quarters. Opposition leaders slammed the jail administration for poor vigilance. Human rights groups also raised concerns about the indefinite detention of foreign nationals.
They urged the government to speed up repatriation processes and invest in safer, more humane detention centres. Some experts also called for bilateral agreements that streamline the deportation of overstaying foreigners.
Meanwhile, state authorities promised a thorough review of all such facilities. They also pledged to upgrade security and increase accountability among staff.
A Bigger Problem at the Borders
This escape highlights deeper issues in India’s immigration and border management. The eastern borders, especially in West Bengal and Assam, remain porous. Undocumented migrants often slip through unnoticed.
Once caught, many serve short sentences but cannot return home quickly. Detention centres then become holding zones with no clear end. These centres lack modern monitoring tools, medical care, and basic infrastructure.
Security experts say India must address these weaknesses urgently. Better coordination with neighboring countries, smarter surveillance, and improved legal frameworks can reduce such incidents.
Key Takeaways
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 9, 2025 | Three Bangladeshi nationals escape from Hazaribag detention centre |
| June 10, 2025 | Police capture them in Dhanbad and Bongaon |
| Ongoing | Security upgrades, inquiry, and legal proceedings begin |
Conclusion
The quick arrest of the escaped detainees shows strong coordination between states. But the escape itself reveals dangerous gaps in India’s detention and deportation system. Without urgent reforms, such incidents will continue.
This case should not fade from memory once the headlines do. It must serve as a turning point—for detention policy, border control, and international cooperation.
