The prisoner, Nayamat Ali, was arrested by the Border Security Force (BSF) an year ago for illegally entering India in the Lopoke area near this Sikh holy city. Police said he was not mentally stable.
Ali was lodged at the Amritsar Central Jail for the last three months. Jail authorities have claimed it was impossible for Ali to cross the 24-feet high boundary wall of the jail. Authorities fear that he might have been trapped in some sewerage pipe or gutter and then died.
"We are checking every sewer. He could have been trapped there and died," said Amritsar Jail Superintendent G. S. Sidhu here Friday.
"We are also taking help of sniffer dogs in this operation," said Sidhu.Jail officials said that Ali had completed his term Friday and he was waiting for his release and repatriation home. However, the jail authorities were taken by surprise when they found Ali missing from the prison.An inquiry was initiated and three jail wardens, who were on duty, were suspended for their negligence.
Published 03 September 2010, 06:18 IST