Inmate found dead Inside Choudwar Jail in Cuttack, suicide suspected

An inmate was found dead under suspicious circumstances inside Choudwar Circle Jail in Odisha's Cuttack district on Sunday evening, once again raising concerns over inmate safety and monitoring at the correctional facility.

The deceased has been identified as MD Kalim, a resident of the Hatipokhari area in Cuttack. According to jail authorities, Kalim was found hanging with a towel inside the jail premises at around 6:30 pm. He was immediately shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Found Hanging Inside Jail

Jail authorities have prima facie termed the incident as a case of suicide. Confirming the incident, DIG of Prisons (Cuttack Range) Anusaya Jena said the inmate allegedly took his own life during lock-up hours. “The inmate was lodged in the psychiatric ward on medical advice after showing violent behaviour. He reportedly used his own towel to commit suicide. There was no negligence on the part of the jail administration. He is believed to have taken the extreme step due to his psychiatric condition,” she said.

Lodged In Psychiatric Ward

Officials said Kalim had been lodged at Choudwar Circle Jail since December. Following a medical evaluation, he was placed in the psychiatric ward due to mental health concerns. Sources added that he had earlier been arrested in connection with an attempt to murder case and was transferred to Choudwar Jail after being declared mentally unstable.

After the incident, officers from Choudwar police station, along with the ACP of Cuttack Zone I, visited the jail premises and initiated an inquiry to ascertain the exact circumstances leading to the inmate’s death.

The incident has once again brought Choudwar Circle Jail under scrutiny. It comes close on the heels of another inmate’s death at the same facility, involving a prisoner from the Bolagarh area of Khordha district. The post-mortem report in that case is still awaited.

Repeated inmate deaths have raised serious questions over supervision, security measures, and monitoring mechanisms, particularly for inmates housed in psychiatric wards. In recent months, the jail has also witnessed incidents of inmate clashes, alleged security lapses, and controversies involving jail officials, including complaints filed over inmate escape incidents.

Also Read: Choudwar jail escape case: Superintendent and former jailer trade complaints, probe widens

Meanwhile, the deceased inmate's family alleged that he was killed and his death is being framed as a suicide. They have demanded a thorough investigation into it.