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A major identity mix-up led to the wrongful release of a rape accused from Faridabad’s Neemka Jail, police confirmed. The accused, who is facing serious charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, was mistakenly released in place of another prisoner who had actually been granted bail. Police have now filed an additional case against the released prisoner for misrepresenting his identity to secure freedom, as confirmed by Sadar Police Station.
Sadar police station SHO Umesh Kumar stated that efforts are underway to locate and rearrest the accused, assuring that he will be caught soon.
The wrongly released individual has been identified as 27-year-old Nitesh Pandey, son of Ravinder Pandey. He was initially arrested in October 2021 for repeatedly raping a nine-year-old boy in Faridabad.
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Confusion arose because another man, also named Nitesh and also the son of a man named Ravinder, was recently jailed. This second Nitesh, aged 24, was taken into custody on Sunday for charges related to house trespass and assault.
According to police, both individuals were held at Neemka Jail. The second Nitesh, involved in the assault case, was granted bail on Monday by the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Faridabad, with his release scheduled for Tuesday. However, jail staff inadvertently released the rape-accused Nitesh Pandey instead.
Jail officials claim that Nitesh Pandey actively hid his real identity to take advantage of the situation and secure an early release.
“We have lodged a complaint with the Sadar Police Station against Nitesh Pandey for obtaining his release by hiding his identity," confirmed Jail Deputy Superintendent Vikram Singh.