Bhubaneswar: An under-trial prisoner died under mysterious circumstances at the controversy-ridden Jharpada Special Jail here Friday, even as the family of the deceased alleged that he succumbed to custodial torture by prison staff.
An officer at the Laxmisagar police station said Bidyadhara Guru, 48, who was lodged in the jail in connection with a NDPS case October 5, complained of chest pain in the morning and was rushed to the Capital Hospital by jail authorities. He was pronounced ‘brought dead’ by doctors at the state-run hospital at around 9 am. Bidyadhara, a native of Daspalla in Nayagarh district, worked as an auto-driver in the City. He lived with his family at Behera Sahi under Maitri Vihar police limits. However, dismissing the police claims, Bidyadhara’s wife Jhunu Guru said the former’s body bore signs of torture and assault. “My husband had suffered deep injuries on the back of his head and left eye, ostensibly after he was severely beaten up. Besides, we were informed about his death almost four hours after his passing away.
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None of the police officers have yet clarified the cause of his sudden death since he was not suffering from any serious ailment,” Jhunu alleged. Sources at Capital Hospital said the autopsy of the body has been postponed till Saturday due to the controversy surrounding the case. Meanwhile, DG of Prisons and Correctional Services, Arun Kumar Ray told OrissaPOST that Bidyadhara was an alcoholic and drug addict. “Taking the families’ concerns into consideration, the entire process of autopsy will be videographed to eliminate any doubt,” he said. Ray said if the need arose, a special committee would be formed to probe the case under the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) mandated guidelines. “So far, a case of an unnatural death has been registered at Laxmisagar police station in this regard,” he added.
Nevertheless, Friday’s development came close on the heels of the murderous attack on an under-trial prisoner by dreaded mobster Munna (and his henchmen), September 1, after the former exposed the nexus between jail officials and influential inmates.
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In a letter to the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Soumyakant Mohanty, the undertrial prisoner, stated that the nexus was ensuring the unabated supply of contraband and provision of luxurious accommodation inside the jail for those who could afford it. He also brought to light a ‘rate chart’ that has been prepared for the peddling of contrabands and tobacco-related items to inmates in the jail. He claimed that while Bidis were sold for Rs 200 per piece, mobile phones could be accessed at a monthly payment of Rs 5,000. Moreover, luxurious accommodation is being provided at a monthly charge of Rs 50,000 inside the jail, his letter claimed