Lunglei, May 1: A major security and procedural lapse has surfaced in Mizoram after 16 convicts serving sentences in Lunglei District Jail were fraudulently released over four months using forged court documents, police said.
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The irregularity reportedly began in January 2026 but remained undetected until last week when officials at the Lunglei District and Sessions Court could not find judicial records authorising the release of certain inmates. The discovery prompted authorities to file a police complaint on April 25, triggering an investigation into the incident.
According to Lunglei Superintendent of Police Jerome Lalmuankima, a coordinated manhunt was launched soon after the fraud came to light. Police have since rearrested 13 of the released convicts, while two remain absconding. One of the individuals who had been released has reportedly died after leaving jail.
Investigators believe the case may involve a well-organised conspiracy with possible involvement of insiders and external accomplices. Officials said the forged release orders carried fabricated seals and formatting closely resembling authentic court directives, which initially passed scrutiny.
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Deputy Superintendent of Lunglei District Jail Lalruatsanga said prison authorities acted on the documents because jail administration is bound to implement court orders without delay, making the deception difficult to detect.
Preliminary investigations have identified 22-year-old inmate Jeremiah Lalthangtura as the suspected mastermind behind
