Hard to explain six deaths in Tihar jail in one week

New Delhi, Jun 12 (UNI) In a hard to explain development for officials at Tihar Jail here, two inmates of the high security prison died today, bringing into focus the inhospitable living conditions at the Asia's largest prison.

Santosh, admitted to the Deendayal Hospital on June 4, died at about 2100 hrs today, said Tihar spokesman Sunil Kumar adding that the cause of his death would be known after the hospital report comes.

''No other details are available about him at this time,'' he told UNI.

Earlier in the day, Vinod (25), taken into preventive custody on June 10 under, Section 107/151 Cr PC from Patel Nagar, died early this morning. He was admitted to Deendayal Upadhayay Hospital yesterday after he complained of uneasiness and stomach ache.

''Later he was brought back to the prison in the evening but again sent to the Jail Hospital after he complained of uneasiness, where he died at 0600 hrs today,'' said Mr Kumar.

A cronic alcoholic, Vinod, who was lodged in Jail No 3 was showing withdrawal symptoms ever since he was arrested, he said.

With today's death, the total number of Tihar inmates having died in the past one week has gone up to six, ringing alarming bells among prison officials over the series of deaths taking place at the jail leading to 'special steps' being taken by them.

Though no specific reasons have been attributed to these deaths sources speculated that heat spell could be one of the likely causes, to which PRO Sunil Kumar said of late arrangements have been made to make available lemon water with ice to the prison inmates and Senior Medical Officer asked to prepare a list of those not keeping well on a daily basis.

''We are also creating awareness among prisoners on how to prevent themselves from heat stroke.'' Yesterday, Najafgarh resident 30-year-old Ajay, convicted for attempt-to-murder, died at the Deendayal Upadhayay Hospital where he was admitted after being detected with 'high fever'.

On June 9, a 31-year-old undertrial Harish Kumar, lodged in Prison No 7, had died while 'undergoing treatment for de-addiction' at DDU.

Earlier, two others lodged in the same jail had died since June 6.

While on June 8, 57-year-old Kamaljeet arrested on corruption charges had died at DDU hospital where he was admitted after he complained 'of nausea and stomach-ache', two days before this, Amit (23), taken into preventive custody by the Narela police, had died due to 'dehydration and abdomen pain'.

UNI