Mysterious Deaths in Tihar Jail: 17th Fatal Incident in Four Months

Strategic Insights -

Tihar jail, Asia's largest prison, is plagued by a spate of deaths, with two murder convicts found dead under suspicious circumstances, bringing the total to 17 fatalities in the past four months. The latest incident has raised concerns about lawlessness and drug smuggling within the prison walls. Inmates reported seeing the two men, Rajesh Mittal and Amit, inhaling brown sugar smuggled from outside the jail, but attempts to stop them were unsuccessful.

Key Takeaways:

  • Two murder convicts, Rajesh Mittal and Amit, were found dead in their cell under mysterious circumstances, with officials suspecting a drug overdose.
  • The incident is the 17th death in Tihar Jail in the past four months, with more than half of the fatalities being murders.
  • Inmates reported seeing the two men inhaling brown sugar, which they had smuggled from outside the jail.
  • A judicial enquiry has been initiated into the deaths, and the head warder has been suspended.
  • The jail superintendent has been pulled up for lack of proper checking inside the wards and has been asked to submit a report.
  • The two deceased men, Rajesh Mittal and Amit, were convicts in separate cases, with Rajesh serving a life sentence and Amit convicted of attempt to murder.
  • The incident highlights the lawlessness and drug smuggling issues within Tihar Jail.
  • A police investigation, inquest proceedings under 174 CrPC, is being carried out to determine the cause of death.

Statistics:

  • 17 fatalities in Tihar Jail in the past four months.
  • More than half of the fatalities (9 out of 17) were murders.
  • The two deceased men, Rajesh Mittal and Amit, were in their mid-20s to 30s.
  • 11 years had passed since Rajesh his first term in jail.

Sources:

  • [Times of India]
  • [The Indian Express]
  • [NDTV]