Ludhiana, Oct. 16 -- An undertrial lodged in the Ludhiana Central Jail went missing on Tuesday night, triggering panic among jail authorities and prompting an extensive search operation within and outside the high-security prison.

The missing inmate has been identified as Rahul, 24, a resident of Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, who temporarily resided in Sundar Nagar, Bhamian. He was lodged in the jail in connection with a theft case registered by the division number 5 police station in 2024. Jail officials said Rahul was last seen during the "bandi" - the evening process when inmates are sent to their respective barracks - but was untraceable during the subsequent headcount.

According to officials, Rahul was spotted sitting in a different ...