Prisoner dies of injuries sustained in assault

A 27-year-old remand prisoner, who was admitted to the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) under court orders, succumbed to injuries that he had allegedly sustained in an assault by a fellow inmate.

According to the police, the deceased, Jahir, had speech impairment and was also suffering from mental illness. He was admitted to IMH for treatment following orders of the Pollachi court in connection with a case registered by Aliyar police station under Sections 103, 238 (a) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. On July 20, Aravindasamy, another remand prisoner who was also under treatment, allegedly assaulted him. Jahir sustained injuries on his head and face and was admitted to Government Stanley Medical College Hospital (SMCH) for treatment. However, he succumbed to injuries on July 23.

In a statement on social media, the Directorate of Medical Education and Research said that on July 20 that an altercation occurred at the facility between two remand individuals who were admitted under Judicial Magistrate orders with pending legal charges. A medical team at the facility provided immediate emergency treatment at 10.40 a.m. and transferred the injured individual to SMCH at 11.45 a.m. for advanced care. The G5 Police Station was also informed of the assault on the same day.

Despite continuous efforts by doctors, the individual succumbed to injuries on July 23. The directorate urged the public and media not to panic over reports painting this in a different light.

This was an isolated incident involving individuals strictly under judicial care, and the matter is currently being thoroughly investigated by law enforcement, it said.