Dhaka: Seven prison officials including a superintendent have been suspended over negligence following the escape of a female inmate from Kashimpur central jail in Gazipur. The suspended officials are Superintendent Laila Anjuman Sumi, along with Marina, Rehena, and female prison guards Shayla, Sharmin, Jemi, and Asma.

According to United News of Bangladesh, Md Jannatul Farhad, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Prisons, stated that the officials were suspended after preliminary findings indicated negligence in carrying out their duties. “An investigation is underway to determine how the inmate managed to escape despite strict security measures,” she said.

The inmate, identified as Rimpa, 21, of Raipur village in Gangni upazila of Meherpur, escaped from the prison on Thursday. A case was filed with Konabari Police Station under Gazipur Metropolitan Police in connection with the incident.

Prison authorities reported that Rimpa had been serving a three-month sentence awarded by a mobile court under Dhanmondi Police Station in Dhaka. Prison sources revealed that around 40 female inmates were engaged in carrying bricks inside the prison on Thursday evening when Rimpa took advantage of a lapse in security, scaled the prison wall, and fled.

The prison authorities later confirmed the escape after reviewing CCTV footage. The investigation into the incident is continuing. A three-member probe body has been formed to look into the incident.