Faridabad Jail Frees Wrong 'Nitesh': Child Rape Accused Released on Bail

The Error Came to Light When the Trespassing Nitesh Asked Why He Had Not Been Released, Despite the Bail Order Issued in His Name

- Debashish Karmakar

GURUGRAM: An embarrassing case of mistaken identity and bureaucratic lapses unfolded at a jail in Faridabad when an inmate, jailed for allegedly raping a minor boy, was "accidentally" released after prison officials confused him with another inmate who had a similar name and father's name—and was granted bail in a petty assault case, police said Thursday.

The mix-up involves two men named Nitesh.

The first is 27-year-old Nitesh Pandey, arrested in October 2021 for repeatedly raping a nine-year-old boy in Faridabad's Sector-58.

He is the son of one Ravinder Pandey.

The second is 24-year-old Nitesh, who goes by only one name. He landed in the same jail on Sunday in a case of house trespass and assault. His father's name? Also Ravinder.

The second Nitesh, accused of a minor scuffle, was granted bail on Monday by the court of the Faridabad chief judicial magistrate.

What should have been a routine release turned into a staggering blunder.