Inmate ‘hangs self’ in jail, kin reject suicide theory

Tribune News Service

Patiala, July 14

A 53-year-old inmate of the Central Jail here, who was serving a sentence in a cheque bounce case, allegedly committed suicide in his barrack late on Friday evening. His family alleged that he was tortured and demanded police action on the basis of the post-mortem report.

Jail officials said Abdul Guffer, a resident of Malerkotla, was found hanging in his barrack and was rushed him to the Jail Hospital. But doctors there referred him to Government Rajindra Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.

Jail Superintendent Rajan Kapur said, “Abdul attempted suicide using bandages he was wearing because of joint pain. Our officials rescued him and took him to the jail hospital.”

The relatives of the prisoner alleged that Abdul Guffer was beaten up by the jail officials. They also alleged that the jail authorities did not even inform them about Abdul’s death. Abdul was awarded a 10-month jail term under Section 138 (dishonour of cheque for insufficient funds in the account) of the Negotiable Instruments Act. He had completed his regular sentence and was serving an additional three-month term for failing to pay the fine imposed on him.

Jail sources said the convict was mentally unfit and keeping fast. He had sought permission on perform prayers without clothes. As his request was turned down, he allegedly attempted suicide, the sources added.

Meanwhile, the post-mortem examination was carried out in the presence of a judicial magistrate and a board of doctors on Saturday evening. 

The deceased’s nephew Mohammed Ashfaq said, “We want a fair investigation in the case. We don’t accept the theories floated by the jail authorities.”