"Jamuna Ram escaped from the jail last night. It was detected during a headcount this morning," officiating Jail Superintendent Sanjay P M Kujur said.
Nine jail guards were arrested today after an FIR was lodged for conniving with the prisoner, Kujur told reporters.
Ram was arrested recently in connection with at least half-a-dozen cases of rape, murder and extortion.
All his alleged offences took place in Gumla district bordering Chhattisgarh's Jashpur district, which he belongs to.