A violent altercation inside Pune's Yerawada Central Prison has left a 62-year-old inmate with life-threatening injuries. The victim, identified as Namdeo Garale, was brutally assaulted by a fellow prisoner within the premises of the open jail facility.
Details of the Brutal Assault
The incident occurred on January 5, around 8:30 PM, inside barrack number one of the Yerawada open jail. According to police officials, some inmates alerted a jail constable after witnessing the altercation. Upon reaching the spot, the constable found Garale lying unconscious on the floor, with his face drenched in blood.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the attack followed a heated argument between Garale and the accused inmate, Fajil Ansari. Ansari allegedly punched Garale in the face with such force that the elderly man fell to the ground and lost consciousness immediately.
Critical Condition and Police Action
The injured inmate was first rushed to the jail hospital for initial care. Given the severity of his injuries, he was subsequently shifted to the state-run Sassoon General Hospital for advanced treatment. Medical examinations revealed that Garale suffered from intracranial bleeding, and doctors have described his condition as critical.
Following a formal complaint lodged by the jail constable, the Yerawada police registered a case against Fajil Ansari. The charge has been filed under Section 117 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The accused has been taken into police custody.
Context of the Open Jail and Ongoing Probe
Both the victim and the accused were inmates of the open jail section within the Yerawada prison complex. This section currently houses 267 inmates. Open jails typically have minimal security and allow prisoners more freedom of movement, which is often based on good behavior.
"Our investigations are on," stated an officer from the Yerawada police station. The authorities are looking into the exact cause of the argument that triggered the violent assault. The case highlights concerns regarding inmate safety and conflict resolution mechanisms within prison facilities.
