Saharsa/Patna: A 25-year-old undertrial prisoner was found dead inside Saharsa Divisional Jail on Sunday, triggering allegations of foul play by his family and renewed scrutiny of security arrangements within the prison.
The deceased, identified as Sunil Kumar, a resident of Bara Lalganj under the Bihra police station area, had been lodged in the jail since March 11, 2024, in connection with a case registered under the POCSO Act (case number 46/24). Jail authorities informed the family of his death around 2pm on Sunday.
Police officials said a team from the Sadar police station, led by station house officer Subodh Kumar, along with forensic experts, reached the Sadar Hospital to begin preliminary inquiries. The body was sent for postmortem examination as part of standard procedure.
Sunil Kumar’s brother, Pintoo Kumar, who arrived at the hospital after being notified, alleged that his brother had been killed while in custody. He claimed the case against Sunil Kumar was false and said the family had been told earlier that his condition was “serious” before learning of his death.
Jail superintendent Niranjan Pandit said, in a telephone statement, that the prisoner had died by suicide and that CCTV footage from the jail was available. “An investigation is under way,” he said, adding that the sequence of events would be established after examining evidence and statements.
The incident has raised questions about supervision and safeguards inside the jail, particularly how an undertrial could die within a high-security facility. Officials said a detailed inquiry would determine responsibility and whether there were lapses in monitoring or protocol.
