Second inmate death at Nahan Central Jail in October

Another inmate was found dead under mysterious circumstances at the Nahan Central Jail on Monday morning, the second such death in the past two weeks.

The deceased has been identified as 46-year-old Deepak Pippal, a native of Baijnath in Kumaon division of Uttarakhand. He was serving an 18-month sentence under the NDPS Act. Around 11 am, Deepak was found unconscious in his barrack. The jail authorities immediately took him to the Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar Government Medical College, Nahan, where doctors on duty declared him brought dead.

According to jail officials, the inmate was known to be physically fit and health-conscious and used to motivate fellow prisoners to do exercise and fitness routines. He was recently transferred from the Mandi District Jail following his sentencing. His jail term was to end in March next year.

Meanwhile, the authorities concerned have initiated an inquiry and the police have recorded the statements of both jail officials and Deepak’s fellow inmates. The body was sent for a post-mortem examination and the exact cause of death would be known after the report was received.

Earlier, an inmate had died at the Nahan jail on October 14, raising serious questions about safety and medical supervision in the high-security facility. Rajendra Singh, a Delhi resident, serving a life sentence for murder for the past 18 years, had collapsed on his way to the Nahan Medical College for a bone-related examination. Though he received immediate medical attention but he dead before reaching the hospital.

SP, Sirmaur, Nishchint Singh Negi said that a detailed inquiry had been ordered into Deepak’s death, as per the standard protocol. “The cause of death will become clear only when the post-mortem report is received,” he added.

With the death of two inmates in less than a month, concerns are mounting over possible lapses in medical monitoring, living conditions and management of the Nahan Central Jail.