Sabarmati Central Jail Breach: Life Convict Walks Out of Main Gate

Ahmedabad  | Gujarat — In a shocking security breach that has shaken Gujarat’s prison system, a life convict walked out of Sabarmati Central Jail — considered one of the state’s most secure prisons — raising alarming questions about surveillance, staff vigilance and the internal functioning of the facility.

The escape of Malde Ramabhai Parmar, a convicted murderer and POCSO accused, has triggered a high-level investigation and ignited debate over the crumbling security inside the prison. What has stunned officials even more is the manner of the escape: the prisoner allegedly walked past guards and exited through the main gate.

“This is not just an escape. It exposes deep cracks in the system,” a senior official involved in the probe said.

CCTV Reveals Stunning Escape Route

According to the complaint filed by jail authorities, Parmar was lodged in the high-security Bada Chakkar Yard No. 4, where 33 inmates were housed. During routine counting, officials discovered that only 32 prisoners were present. Parmar had vanished.

An intensive search inside the prison yielded no clues until CCTV footage was examined. Investigators were stunned to find visuals of Parmar leaving the yard, evading staff and walking out of the main gate without resistance.

“The footage shows him exiting the premises, but how he managed to bypass multiple layers of security is under investigation,” said Ranip Police Inspector B.R. Rabari. He confirmed that CCTV footage from outside the jail is also being scanned to trace the fugitive’s movement.

Not an Ordinary Prisoner

Parmar was no minor offender. He had multiple serious cases registered against him at Porbandar’s Kamlabagh police station in 2023, including murder and offences under the POCSO Act. In 2025, he was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Initially lodged in Porbandar and later shifted to Rajkot jail, Parmar was transferred to Sabarmati Central Jail due to deteriorating health. Since then, he had been housed in the Bada Chakkar section — reserved for hardened convicts.

Sources say Parmar was categorized among “pakka kamana” prisoners, inmates entrusted with certain internal responsibilities. While such prisoners enjoy slightly more mobility within jail premises, officials admit strict monitoring is mandatory.

“The fact that he reached the main gate shows a serious breakdown of security protocols,” an officer admitted.

Violence Inside Jail Adds to Alarm

The escape comes just days after another violent incident inside the same jail. A dispute between inmates escalated into a brutal fight, leaving one prisoner critically injured and hospitalized.

Prison insiders say tensions among inmates have been rising, exposing administrative indifference and deep-rooted internal conflicts.

“This incident shows the prison system is under strain,” a former jail official said. “Escapes and violent clashes point to systemic failure.”