Rape accused found dead in Una

Our Correspondent

UNA, NOVEMBER 18

Rajinder Kumar alias Golu (27), an undertrial from Nalagarh in Solan district, who was lodged in the Una jail, died this morning under mysterious circumstances. The accused was facing trial for the rape of a minor.

When the inmate failed to report during the routine roll call at 6.45 am, the jail warden launched a search for him. He was found lying in an unconscious state in his barrack. He was rushed to a hospital where the doctors declared him ‘brought dead’.

DSP Kulwinder Singh said proceedings had been initiated as per the jail manual. The information had been sent to the Una District and Sessions Judge. SDM-cum-Jail Superintendent Prithi Pal Singh inspected the jail after the incident and questioned the inmates and jail staff.

Rajinder Kumar, who was facing the trial at the Nalagarh court, was shifted to Una in July 2016 due to shortage of space in the Solan jail. It is reported that the undertrial was taken to Nalagarh on Friday for a case hearing and was brought back to the Una jail the same day.

According to the jail authorities, Rajinder was brought back from Nalagarh after the hearing around 2.30 pm on Friday. He was served food at 4.30 pm and after the evening roll call at 6 pm, the barracks were locked.

DSP Kulwinder Singh said the viscera would be sent for forensic examination to ascertain the cause of the death, adding that the exact cause would only be known when the autopsy report was received.

SDM questions staff

• When the inmate failed to report during the routine roll call at 6.45 am, the jail warden launched a search for him
• He was found lying in an unconscious state in his barrack
• He was rushed to a hospital where the doctors declared him ‘brought dead’
• SDM-cum-Jail Superintendent Prithi Pal Singh inspected the jail and questioned the inmates and jail staff