Two inmates found dead in Tihar jail

New Delhi: Two convicts on Thursday morning died under mysterious circumstances at the high-security Tihar jail in the national capital, just days after an undertrial was stabbed to death.

The deceased have been identified as Ritesh Mittal alias Shalu (32) and Amit alias Panda (26). Jail officials suspect that the two died after consuming some drug smuggled into the prison.           

Both of them were lodged in ward number two at jail number 8-9 of the prison complex. Ritesh was undergoing life imprisonment in a murder case and had spent 11 years in jail. Amit was convicted in an attempt to murder case.      

“According to their fellow inmates, both of them were inhaling some drug in the night which they had sneaked in from somewhere.

They even advised the duo not to indulge in the act as it may be harmful. But, the two didn’t budge. In the morning, their condition deteriorated.          

“Authorities called in jail doctors who tried to revive them but realising that they need institutional care they were sent to DDU hospital where they died at around 9:30 AM,” said Tihar DIG and spokesperson Mukesh Prasad.      

Police were informed about the incident and they have started investigation in the case.          

The bodies have been sent for postmortem to ascertain the exact cause of death. A magisterial enquiry will also be initiated in the case, he added.       

Police will also investigate as to how the drugs were smuggled into the prison complex.           

Security at the high profile Tihar jail has been a cause of concern off late as police have recently busted several extortion rackets being run from the premises in which inmates used mobile phones.  

A number of inmates have also lost their lives in the recent past in fights on the jail premises.

A 40-year-old undertrial, Ajay, was stabbed to death on Monday afternoon allegedly by three other inmates over personal enmity.