Ludhiana: A 31-year-old undertrial lodged in Ludhiana Central Jail on Tajpur Road died under mysterious circumstances, triggering allegations of custodial torture by his family. However, jail authorities maintained that the death was natural and caused by medical complications. A judicial enquiry has been initiated into the incident.The deceased, Jatinder, a resident of Basti Jodhewal, was arrested around six months ago in connection with a rape case. He had been lodged in Ludhiana Central Jail since. Family members alleged that Jatinder died of torture by jail officials following an attempt to escape from custody. According to them, around two weeks before his death, Jatinder was taken to the Ludhiana Civil Hospital, from where he allegedly managed to escape briefly. Jail officials apprehended him after a chase. The family alleged that he was tortured after this escape attempt and was not given proper food.Harpreet Kaur, wife of the deceased, said she received a call from jail authorities in the early hours of April 13. “Jail authorities informed me that Jatinder was unwell and had been taken to a hospital. When I reached the jail, I was told that he had died and that he was brought dead,” she said.Harpreet alleged that Jatinder had multiple injury marks on his body. “I am sure he was tortured in custody, which led to his death. I have pictures of his body showing injury marks. After he tried to escape, jail staff tortured him and did not give him food or medicine. My husband had no medical issues,” she alleged.She also claimed that Jatinder had informed her earlier that a group of inmates had tried to strangle him inside the jail, causing him to almost lose his voice. She alleged that he was being deliberately targeted in custody.Jatinder’s sister, Rekha, raised further suspicions regarding the circumstances of his death. She alleged that the rape case against her brother was “fake” and claimed that the complainant’s side was demanding Rs 10 lakh from the family for a compromise. “We suspect that the same people got Jatinder killed in jail,” she alleged.Jail authorities, however, denied all allegations of foul play. Deputy superintendent of Ludhiana Central Jail, Balbeer Singh, said Jatinder had staged a false suicide attempt about two weeks before his death. “He pretended to hang himself and claimed that he lost his voice in the attempt. He was taken to the Civil Hospital and given medicines. In the hospital, he suddenly started speaking, which made it clear that he was putting on a drama,” Singh said.He added that when police and jail staff were taking Jatinder back from the hospital, he ran away. “The staff chased him and apprehended him. On probing, it was found that he had deliberately staged the suicide attempt to be taken to the hospital so that he could escape from there,” the official said.Following the incident, the jail authorities kept Jatinder under strict observation along with four other inmates, described as notorious. Singh said that on April 13, around 4.30 am, jail staff informed him that Jatinder had become unwell and suffered fits. “He was given first aid at the jail hospital and was referred to the Civil Hospital, but he died on the way,” he said.The deputy superintendent maintained that there was no foul play involved in the death. He said the postmortem examination was conducted on Tuesday and the body was subsequently handed over to the family. A judicial enquiry into the incident is underway.Custodial Death Raises Questions A 31-year-old undertrial prisoner, Jatinder, died under mysterious circumstances in Ludhiana Central Jail on April 13 Family alleges custodial torture, claiming he was beaten after a failed escape attempt and denied food and medical care Wife Harpreet Kaur said the body bore multiple injury marks, suggesting physical abuse Family also alleged prior threats, including an attempt to strangulate him inside jail by other inmates Sister questioned the rape case against him, alleging a Rs 10 lakh settlement demand and possible foul play Jail authorities denied all allegations, stating the death was due to medical complications after he suffered fits Recent Cases in Ludh 2020 custodial death case revived in 2026: A Ludhiana court recently ordered murder charges against four police personnel in the death of Deepak Shukla, a recovery agent. He allegedly suffered brutal torture in illegal custody and died in jail in Feb 2020; autopsy confirmed severe internal injuries Gangster death in custody sparks protests (2025): Notorious gangster Sagar Neutron died while in custody at PGI Chandigarh. While officials cited health complications (diabetes), his family alleged foul play and custodial killing, leading to protests in Ludhiana Jail inmate’s death termed suicide after probe (2023): A judicial inquiry into a Ludhiana Central Jail death concluded that the inmate had consumed poison, ruling it a suicide, though the case initially raised suspicion of custodial negligence Custodial torture allegations (2026): In a recent case, a Ludhiana SHO was removed after a businessman alleged he was beaten and given electric shocks in custody, highlighting ongoing concerns about custodial abuse in the city.
