A 40-year-old undertrial died in the Hoshiarpur Central Jail on Wednesday morning, triggering a protest by his family members and acquaintances who held a sit-in and blocked traffic for nearly two hours.
Police said Manish Bhatti, a resident of Hoshiarpur’s Khanpuri Gate locality, complained of chest uneasiness. He was then shifted to the civil hospital where doctors declared him dead.
Bhatti had been in jail for about a year in an NDPS case. His brother Kush said he had talked to Bhatti the day before and he was fine.
“We cannot believe he died of a heart attack. Even if that were the case, there must have been a trigger. We learnt that Manish was not provided timely medical care and was only shifted to the hospital after he had already died,” he alleged.
The aggrieved family held a dharna in front of the city police station demanding action against “negligent” jail officials.
Deputy superintendent of police Dev Dutt Sharma said the police recorded the family’s statement. A magisterial inquiry under Section 176 of the Criminal Procedure Code has been initiated to investigate the cause of death. Following this, the protesters lifted the blockade.
{{/usCountry}}Deputy superintendent of police Dev Dutt Sharma said the police recorded the family’s statement. A magisterial inquiry under Section 176 of the Criminal Procedure Code has been initiated to investigate the cause of death. Following this, the protesters lifted the blockade.
{{/usCountry}}The jail superintendent could not be contacted for comments. After an autopsy by a board of doctors, the body was handed over to the family.