An inmate died under mysterious circumstances at the Dharamsala prison in Himachal Pradesh, prompting allegations of foul play from the family. The deceased, identified as Rajesh Kumar, was a resident of Kangra district and had been lodged in the prison for the past six months in connection with a theft case.
Incident Details
According to prison officials, Rajesh complained of severe chest pain late Wednesday night. He was immediately rushed to the nearby civil hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. However, the family has raised serious concerns, claiming that the inmate was in good health and that his sudden death indicates possible foul play.
Family Allegations
The deceased's brother, Suresh Kumar, alleged that Rajesh had been threatened by other inmates and that the prison staff had failed to ensure his safety. "He called me just two days ago and said he was scared of some inmates. We suspect he was murdered," Suresh said. The family has demanded a thorough investigation and an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Police Response
The police have registered a case of unnatural death under Section 174 of the CrPC and have initiated an inquiry. Superintendent of Police (Kangra) Shalini Agnihotri said, "We are taking the matter seriously. The body has been sent for post-mortem, and we will wait for the report before drawing any conclusions." She added that prison CCTV footage is being examined to ascertain the sequence of events.
Prison Administration's Stand
Jail Superintendent Ramesh Chauhan stated that all protocols were followed. "The inmate complained of chest pain, and we provided immediate medical attention. We are cooperating with the investigation," he said. Meanwhile, opposition leaders have criticized the administration, calling for a high-level inquiry into the incident.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns over the safety and healthcare facilities in prisons across the state. Human rights activists have urged the government to implement stricter monitoring mechanisms to prevent such tragedies in the future.
