Cuttack/Sambalpur: An undertrial prisoner died while undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack today. Family members have alleged that he was being tortured in the jail as injury marks were found on his body.
The UTP Saroj Das had been lodged at Choudwar Jail. A resident of Pilgrim Sahi, he had been arrested on May 9 by Malgodown police for involvement in a fight.
Family members of Das had earlier approached the Human Rights Commission alleging that he is being tortured in the jail. The Commission had even instructed Additional Director General (Prisons) Arun Ray and I G (Central) Soumendra Priyadarshi to conduct a probe on the issue.
Das had been admitted to Central ICU of SCB Hospital five days back as his condition was critical. He breathed his last this morning.
Similar allegations have also surfaced in the death of an under trial prisoner from Sambalpur, Abhay Singh, a resident of West Bengal's Purulia district, on Tuesday. In this case, OHRC has directed Human Rights Protection Cell ADG to submit a report in two weeks and has asked for the post mortem report to Burla Medical authorities also.
Singh had arrived in Sambalpur along with his brother and brother-in-law to sell plastic flowers during Sital Sasthi festival. But they had been arrested by police on charges of mobile theft and forwarded to court.
Singh died late Monday night while undergoing treatment at Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla.
Family members alleged he died due to police torture after finding various injury marks on his body, but jail authorities said he was unwell from the day he had reached the jail.