Uzbek woman inmate dies in Bhondsi jail, probe on
Civil Hospital forensic expert says preliminary examination suggests a case of drug abuse and some concurrent illness, which may have resulted in sudden death.
A 38-year-old woman from Uzbekistan, who was under judicial custody in Bhondsi jail, died on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday.
The deceased, identified as Shaknos who was a resident of Tashkent in Uzbekistan, was arrested on June 10 from the Sahara Mall along with three other foreign nationals for allegedly creating a ruckus and booked under sections 3 and 14 of the Foreigners’ Act and IPC Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy).
“The woman’s body did not have any external injuries or wounds. According to other inmates, she had high fever and chest pain and then alerted the warder,” investigating officer, sub-inspector Surinder Pal, said.
A medical board of four doctors conducted the post-mortem examination of the victim on Friday. The cause of death will be known after the report is released, police said.
Civil Hospital forensic expert Dr Deepak Mathur, who headed the board, said, “Preliminary examination suggests a case of drug abuse and some concurrent illness, which may have resulted in sudden death. The viscera samples have been sent to the forensic laboratory.”
Bhondsi jail superintendent Jai Kishan Chillar said that around 2.45am, the woman complained of acute pain in the chest and alerted her inmates, who informed the jail warder.
“The jail medical officer examined her and at 3.06am, she was referred to the emergency ward of Civil Hospital in Gurugram, where doctors declared her dead. The inmate had a history of heart and respiratory ailments, and was taken to the hospital on June 12 as well to address an epilepsy-related problem,” Chillar said.
Chillar said as per protocol, jail authorities have written to the district and sessions judge to depute a magistrate to initiate an inquiry under Section 176 of the CrPC.
Bhondsi station house officer inspector Umesh Kumar said the police have informed the Embassy of Uzbekistan about the incident and are awaiting contact with the victim’s family.
“The magistrate has recorded the statement of the inmates, doctors and jail officials. The report of the judicial enquiry will be released later. The victim did not have her passport or Visa with her,” Kumar said.
When asked about the possibility of any foul play in the incident, the SHO said, “We can only comment on the cause of death once the post-mortem report is out.”