27 unnatural jail deaths in Bengal in five years

Kolkata, Jul 18(UNI) Altogether 282 jail inmates, including 208 undertrials, died in West Bengal between 2001 and 2005, Jail Minister Biswanath Choudhury informed the Assembly today.

Replying to questions in the House, Mr Choudhury said of the total deaths, 27 were 'unnatural'.

''It is mandatory in the event of every unnatural death to produce death certificate signed by the medical officer, post mortem and magisterial reports and video photography of post mortem,'' he said.

In such cases, the government had taken necessary measures after conducting probes to find reasons, Mr Choudhury said.

UNI KDG PL KLC1515