Mystery shrouds death of undertrial prisoner in Hoshiarpur Central Jail

Our Correspondent

Hoshiarpur, April 11

An undertrial Mani Partap, alias Mani alias Chetan Partap, a resident of Amritsar, who was lodged in Hoshiarpur Central Jail in connection with the murder of son of an ASI of Amritsar, died under mysterious circumstances this morning. Although jail authorities didn’t utter a word over his death but according to sources, it has been recorded as ‘death due to a heart attack’. Meanwhile, deceased’s family alleged that he was being harassed by the jail authorities.

According to information, Mani was rushed to the Civil Hospital this morning by jail officials after his health deteriorated suddenly. He later died at the hospital. Getting information about Mani's death, his family members reached the Civil Hospital. Alleging that Mani was being harassed by some jail officials and employees and he was being tortured due to which he was in mental distress.

Levelling serious allegations against the jail administration Mani's wife Prabha said a day before they had deposited a sum of Rs 30,000 in a jail employee’s account because Mani had asked for it saying that he was in dire need of money. She alleged that Mani had told them that he was being kept in the cell for long hours and had expressed apprehension that he could be killed. “He was mentally disturbed but the jail administration was not providing proper treatment to Mani,” alleged Prabha. Meanwhile, family members of Mani and some other persons raised slogans against the jail administration seeking immediate removal of jail superintendent and demanded strict action against those responsible for Mani’s death. They alleged that Mani was tortured last night in the jail which led to his death.

Assistant Jail Superintendent Des Singh said, “I have just come here for the postmortem of the deceased and I know nothing about it. I was on leave and have returned to duty at 10 am this morning. Only those on duty last night may tell what had happened last night.”

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