The Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate on Tuesday sent a report to the Registrar of Kerala High Court (Subordinate Judiciary) regarding the escape of six inmates from Juvenile Boys’ Home at Kakkanad on Monday.
The superintendent in charge of the juvenile home submitted a report before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, which was forwarded to the Registrar of the High Court.
As per the report, the superintendent was on leave due to an emergency on Monday. Only caretaker Thomas was present at the juvenile home. One of the boys first sprinkled chilly powder at the caretaker, who was in the television room, and then attacked him.
The boys took two mobile phones from Thomas’ pockets and locked him in the room. However, Thomas raised noise and alerted officials of the Juvenile Girls’ Home, adjacent to the Boys’ Home. They unlocked him and conducted a thorough search.
When they went to the office room, it was found that the boys had ransacked it for money and escaped. They had stolen `21,500 kept in a cupboard there.
The report also stated that the juvenile home has provisions for three caretakers and one superintendent/warden. However, there are only two caretakers and one post is lying vacant.
The Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate Court is also in charge of the juvenile court. The police have intensified search for the escaped boys. Police officials said a separate squad under Sub Inspector, Thrikkakara, has been formed for the search.
The police have sought the assistance of cyber cell to trace the mobile phones taken from the caretaker. They also recorded the statements of the officials of the juvenile home. “The cyber cell has been intimated about the incident. We are also monitoring bus stands and railway station. Combing activities are going on. Besides, border checkposts of the state have been sealed to prevent their escape to other states,” cops said.