Nagpur: They are just scribbles across one-and-a-half note book pages. But they were addressed to two scribes, smuggled out of Nagpur Central Jail, and claim that undertrial inmate Akash Gaur was thrashed by a jailer, which probably led to his death on May 14. The source of the information is said to be a fellow inmate of Gaur in the jail.
Gaur, who had a murder case going against him, was declared dead at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) after being brought there in an unconscious condition. The jail escorts had told the doctors that Gaur was suffering from breathlessness and chest pain.
In the note sent to TOI, it is mentioned that the same jailer had faced a penalty while serving at Nashik for torturing an inmate. The sender has also said an inmate at Aurangabad too was murdered when one of the officials now posted at Nagpur was serving there. The jailer is learnt to target anyone who does not fulfil his demands.
The person who leaked the information also claimed that one of the jail officials had been threatening witnesses who were supposed to depose before the magistrate inquiring into Gaur’s death.
On the day after his death, Gaur’s family had created a ruckus at GMCH mortuary, claiming his body had several injuries and seeking justice. They were clamouring for action against jail authorities for thrashing Gaur to death.
Sources also said the jailer, who allegedly thrashed Gaur, proceeded on leave on May 15, ostensibly to bring his belongings from Mumbai.
Gaur’s father, Tarachand, had claimed that he met his son on May 9 at Nagpur Central Jail. He said Gaur was in a panic, but had no signs of any illness. “My son was petrified that someone may assault or attack him in the jail. He also alerted me that jail authorities may assault him over a fracas in which he was involved,” Tarachand said while sharing his apprehensions with TOI outside the mortuary on May 15.
“My son wanted me to avail emergency bail for him at any cost. Within a week, he was dead under mysterious circumstances in jail. He must have been murdered,” he had said.
Dhantoli police had registered a case of accidental death and started probing the matter. Sources said Gaur’s family has now written a letter to senior police officials and also to Mantralaya for justice.
SP, Nagpur Central Jail, Anup Kumre said the jailer being accused of high-handedness is a highly disciplined official and is known for his no-nonsense stance. “There is no reason to believe that the inmate was thrashed. Senior officials have always been strictly instructing not to take tough measures against inmates physically,” he said.
