A 45-year-old undertrial prisoner lodged in Sultanpur district jail in Uttar Pradesh was found dead late Monday night, in what authorities suspect to be a case of suicide. The incident has raised concerns over prison security and monitoring systems.
The deceased, identified as Nakched from Charathai village in Dhanpatganj, had been in judicial custody since March 25 in connection with the alleged murder of his wife. His body was discovered hanging inside the toilet area of barrack number 12, reportedly using a plastic rope tied to a window.
Jail superintendent Arvind Prangil said that, prima facie, the case appears to be suicide, though the exact cause of death will be confirmed after a post-mortem examination. He added that a detailed inquiry has been ordered, particularly because the incident occurred within a high-security zone of the prison.
Police records indicate that Nakched was accused of killing his wife, Kusum, on March 24, following which an FIR was registered at Dhanpatganj police station and he was arrested.
Sources in the prison department said action may be taken against two jail personnel for alleged negligence. Officials are also examining how a prohibited item like a plastic rope was accessed by the inmate and whether CCTV surveillance and security protocols were adequately enforced.
According to jail sources, Nakched had been visited by his son earlier on Monday, who reportedly told him that no family member would visit again. Officials suggested that this may have contributed to his mental state, though the exact circumstances remain under investigation.
The incident has also drawn attention due to a similar case reported at the same jail in September last year, where another undertrial allegedly died by suicide.
