14 more inmates booked in two violent incidents at Muktsar jail

With a fresh case registered against 14 inmates, the total number of prisoners booked in connection with the two violent incidents at Muktsar district jail on Thursday and Saturday has now risen to 37, leaving five inmates and two jail employees injured.

The latest case is registered for allegedly assaulting jail employee Mangal Dass Singh on Saturday, in which he sustained fractures in both legs and a severe head injury.

As per the FIR lodged on the statement of Assistant Jail Superintendent Dhani Ram, some inmates attacked Dass around 8 am, allegedly seeking revenge for Thursday’s clash.

“When Mangal Dass Singh tried to stop them, the accused inmates thrashed him and launched a murderous attack,” the FIR stated.

A case under Sections 110, 115, 132, 221, 191(3), 190, and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 45 of the Prisons Act and Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, has been registered.

Notably, the first incident had occurred on Thursday evening, leaving five inmates and one jail employee injured, while the uniform of another jail employee was allegedly torn by inmates.

Officials said the clash stemmed from an old rivalry.

Sources said tensions flared on Thursday after some inmates were transferred from the Faridkot jail. Several inmates involved in these two violence incidents were already facing serious charges, including murder and attempt to murder.

As per the FIR, a group led by Baljinder Singh, alias Gandhi, and Gurmeet Singh, alias Meeta, allegedly snatched keys from a jail employee, freed other inmates, locked the employee inside and attacked rival inmates in the de-addiction barrack using iron rods and a sharp weapon.

It further stated that three assistant jail superintendents – Varinder Kumar, Sukhmander Singh, and Nachhattar Singh – rushed to the spot and restored order, though Sukhmander Singh was injured.

The Muktsar Sadar police have registered a case under Sections 221, 132, 115(2), 118(1), 304(2), and 127(2) of the BNS, along with Section 45 of the Prisons Act.

Inspector Varun Yadav, SHO of Muktsar Sadar police station, said, “We have registered the FIRs and will seek production warrants to bring the accused inmates from jail for investigation.”