In a disturbing recurrence, another prisoner has reportedly died by suicide in Choudwar Circle Jail today, raising serious questions about the facility’s security and the vigilance of its officials and staff.
This sensitive jail has been plagued by incidents of prisoner suicides and escapes, fueling public debate on the effectiveness of its management.
Just three months after a similar tragedy, an under-trial prisoner was found hanging in his cell during evening lock-up.
The deceased, Mohammad Kalim (32), a resident of the Hati Pokhari area under Cuttack Municipal Corporation, used a towel tied to his neck and suspended from the cell window. He was housed in Cell No. 6, and the incident occurred in the evening. The exact reason behind the suicide remains unclear.
This marks the second such suicide in a short span, sparking widespread concern among the public about the jail’s safety protocols. Notably, three months ago, Pabitra Sahu from Bolagarh in Khordha district had also taken his own life in the same facility. Adding to the woes, two notorious criminals from Bihar escaped by scaling the jail walls and remain at large to this day.
Meanwhile, allegations of mud-slinging between the former jailer and the current superintendent continue to surface. Efforts to contact the jail superintendent for comments were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls.
Upon receiving the news, Choudwar Police Station IIC Rajanikant Das and Zone-1 ACP Arun Swain visited the jail and initiated an investigation into the matter.
