Bhubaneswar, April 22 -- An undertrial prisoner (UTP) managed to escape from the Kalahandi district jail in Odisha late last night, triggering a major security alert and a statewide manhunt. The incident came to light on Wednesday after officials confirmed that the inmate, identified as Jagannath Sabar, has fled the jail premises in Bhawanipatna town.

According to official sources, the accused man had been lodged in custody for the past two months in connection with three theft cases registered under the Sadar police limits. He was sent to judicial custody on February 14 this year and was awaiting trial at the time of the escape.

Preliminary reports indicate that the prisoner escaped at around 12.56 AM by scaling the boundary wall of th...