Under trial, farmer commits suicide in Ludhiana jail

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 5

A 50-year-old farmer lodged in the Central Jail, Ludhiana, committed suicide by hanging himself from the grill inside the bathroom. The deceased has been identified as Harpreet Singh, a resident of Jaspalo village, Doraha.

Jail Superintendent Shamsher Singh said undertrial Harpreet was lodged in the jail about eight months ago. He was facing a case of rape and drug smuggling.

He had been produced in a court in a rape case on Friday, the Jail Superintendent said, adding that he had met his family members in the court who reportedly told him that due to the case, the family was facing a lot of humiliation.

“Other inmates living with him said after Harpreet came back from the court hearing, he was depressed and was not talking to anyone. They said his relatives made him feel ashamed for committing rape. On Sunday morning he went to the bathroom and ended his life. His body was noticed by a jail staff during the checking of the bathroom,” Shamsher said. “Suspecting no foul play, the Jail Department has recommended the initiation of inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPc,” he added.

Intoxicants found in inmate’s turban

As many as 90 intoxicant tablets were found concealed in the turban of an inmate. The recovery was made during the checking of an inmate who came from a court hearing on Saturday. The inmate has been identified as Gurmeet Singh, lodged in jail since 2017 in a murder case. Jail officials said the inmate had gone to attend court hearing on Saturday and it could be possible that he was handed over tablets by someone near the court.