Today, a major blunder at Neemka jail in Faridabad led to the release of the wrong prisoner due to a name mix-up, police said.

Instead of releasing a 24-year-old man who was granted bail in a minor assault and trespassing case, jail authorities mistakenly released 27-year-old Nitesh Pandey, who is accused under the POCSO Act of repeatedly raping a nine-year-old boy in 2021.

Both prisoners share the same name—Nitesh—and have fathers named Ravinder, which reportedly caused the confusion.

Police say the rape accused managed to get out by hiding his identity. A case has now been registered against him at Sadar police station, and a search is underway to re-arrest him.

“We have lodged a complaint against Nitesh Pandey for securing release by concealing his identity,” said Jail Deputy Superintendent Vikram Singh.

Authorities assure that he will be arrested soon.