Lifer smuggling drugs into jail dies of overdose

GURUGRAM: A 30-year-old murder convict, serving a life sentence in Bhondsi jail, died on Tuesday of suspected drug overdose, the fifth inmate to die in nine months. The deceased was allegedly trying to smuggle drugs inside the jail by swallowing plastic capsules filled with banned substances, but they burst inside his stomach, causing death. Fifteen packets were recovered from his stomach and intestine during post-mortem, conducted by a four-member medical board.
The deceased, Akhilesh alias Mithun, a resident of Darbaripur, was arrested on July 28, 2012, in a case of robbery and murder. Since then, he has been in Bhondsi jail. A case was filed against him under IPC sections 302 (murder), 392 (robbery) and 34 (common intention) at Badshapur police station. He was convicted and given life term by a city court on September 3, 2013. Jail authorities said Akhilesh had a history of respiratory and psychological illnesses, and was undergoing treatment at PGIM Rohtak as well as Civil Hospital in Gurugram for three years. He suffered depression and physiological disorders since his conviction.

On January 7, he was taken to PGIM Rohtak by jail authorities for regular check up, where he allegedly received 15-18 narcotic packets from an acquaintance. He swallowed those to smuggle drugs inside the jail, and hoped to extract them by vomiting, but fell ill after his return. When his condition deteriorated on Tuesday, he was first by the jail medical officer at around 4pm, and shifted to the emergency ward of Civil Hospital immediately. He died during treatment at around 5.30pm the same day.

Bhondsi jail superintendent Jai Kishan Chillar said, “He was complaining of pain, so we took him to Rohtak. Some acquaintances visited him there, and seem to have passed on narcotics to smuggle inside jail.” He said Akhilesh fell ill soon after his return, and was referred to Civil Hospital. Chillar added initial investigation has revealed Akhilesh tried to vomit to release the packets as soon as he was back in prison on January 7, and again on January 8, but failed on both occasions. By evening, his condition deteriorated. “Other inmates said he was trying to vomit after returning from Rohtak, but failed and fell ill,” said Chillar.

The Civil Hospital forensics expert, Dr Deepak Mathur, said initial examination suggested drug abuse leading to illness and sudden death. “During post-mortem, 15 one-inch long plastic packets filled with brown material was found in his stomach and intestine, some of which were damaged,” said Dr Mathur. The packets have been sent to the forensics lab for examination. Additional commissioner of police (ACP) Shamsher Singh said there was no injury on his body. “The exact cause of death can be ascertained after the final post-mortem and forensics reports are submitted,” he said.

Family members of Akhilesh, who were present at the morgue, alleged negligence by jail authorities. “He died at around 5pm on Tuesday, but we were informed only at 8pm,” said elder brother, alleging Akhilesh was harassed inside jail.