Woman inmate found dead under mysterious circumstances in Odisha jail

A woman inmate was found dead under suspicious circumstances inside Nimapada Sub-Jail in Odisha’s Puri district, on Monday.

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The deceased has been identified as Madhusmita Baral from Delanga area. She had been lodged in the jail since December last year after being arrested in connection with the alleged murder of her minor daughter.

According to sources, she had her lunch and was sitting in the ward veranda with other inmates before returning inside. Nearly 20 minutes later, fellow prisoners reportedly found her hanging inside the ward.

Jail authorities rescued and rushed Madhusmita to Nimapada Community Health Centre and later shifted her to Puri District Headquarters Hospital for advanced treatment.

However, doctors declared her dead upon arrival. The exact cause of the woman prisoner’s untimely death is yet to be determined.

So far, no official reaction has been received from police or jail authorities regarding the incident.

“A female inmate named Madhusmita Baral was previously lodged in our jail. She had been here since December 6, 2025, in connection with a murder case. Earlier today, she had her breakfast and lunch normally, as usual. However, around 2.30 PM, while she was sitting on the veranda of the female ward with another inmate and a female warder, she said she needed to go to the toilet and left,” the jail Superintendent Sushant Kumar Rout said.

“When she didn't return to the group for about 15 to 20 minutes, the female warder grew suspicious and went to look for her. While searching the rooms in the female ward, she found her hanging from a ceiling fan with the help of a saree. The warder immediately rushed to her, lifted her by her legs to support her weight, and contacted us via walkie-talkie. I arrived at the scene quickly with other staff, untied the saree, and immediately sent her to Nimapada hospital in the jail ambulance,” the jail Superintendent stated.

“After examining her at around 3.45 PM, the doctors declared her dead. An FIR has been registered at the Nimapada Police Station regarding this incident, and further steps will be taken as per NHRC guidelines,” the jail Superintendent added.

Reported By: Sanjaya Kumar Pati