A violent assault inside the high-security walls of Yerawada Central Prison has led to the death of an undertrial inmate. The victim, identified as Vishal Kamble (27), succumbed to his injuries in a hospital on Friday, nearly two weeks after being brutally attacked by two fellow inmates using a piece of floor tile.
Details of the Fatal Prison Assault
The incident occurred on the morning of December 15. According to police officials, Kamble was asleep in his barrack around 6:45 am when he was assaulted. The primary accused, Akash Chandalia (30) of Yerawada, attacked Kamble with a sharp piece of floor tile. The weapon had been smuggled into the barrack by the second accused, Deepak Reddy (27) of Kamshet, who allegedly sneaked it in from an ongoing construction site within the prison premises.
The attack was vicious, with Kamble sustaining severe injuries to his head and waist. He was immediately rushed to Sassoon General Hospital for treatment, where he fought for his life for days before passing away on Friday.
Murder Charges Added Under New BNS
Initially, the Yerawada police had registered a case of attempted murder against Chandalia and Reddy. Following Kamble's death, the charges were escalated. On Friday, police invoked Section 103 (murder) of the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the duo and took them into formal custody.
Investigations into the motive revealed a possible history of conflict. During police questioning, Akash Chandalia alleged that Vishal Kamble had been harassing and abusing him for the past two months, which allegedly prompted the violent retaliation.
Criminal Backgrounds of Those Involved
The case involves individuals with serious criminal records. The deceased, Vishal Kamble, was allegedly involved in a murder case from 2019. His alleged assailants, Akash Chandalia and Deepak Reddy, also have serious criminal cases registered against them. This incident raises significant questions about inmate management and security within the prison, especially the control of materials from construction areas that can be turned into lethal weapons.
The tragic event underscores the ongoing challenges of prison violence and inmate safety in India's correctional facilities. Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough internal inquiry alongside the criminal investigation.
