Telangana: Remand Prisoner Dies In Hospital; Family Alleges Custodial Assault
The deceased was identified as Janagama Venkatesh, 32, who is survived by his wife and four children: Reports
WARANGAL: A remand prisoner lodged in the Mahabubabad sub-jail died while undergoing treatment at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Hospital in Warangal on Monday, with his family alleging that he was assaulted by jail staff while in custody.
The deceased was identified as Janagama Venkatesh, 32, who is survived by his wife and four children.
According to police, Venkatesh was an accused in a 2017 murder case. After being released on bail, he allegedly failed to appear before the court, following which a non-bailable warrant was issued. Police arrested him on July 31 and produced him before a court on August 1, which remanded him to judicial custody. He was subsequently lodged in the Mahabubabad sub-jail.
Jail authorities said Venkatesh fell ill while in custody and was shifted to MGM Hospital for treatment, where he died despite medical efforts.
His family, however, alleged that he was assaulted by jail officials and claimed that the injuries sustained in custody led to his death. They demanded a fair and impartial inquiry and action against those responsible. Relatives gathered at the hospital and protested over the circumstances surrounding his death.
Officials said the exact cause of death would be known only after the post-mortem examination report is received. The body will be handed over to the family after the autopsy.
Authorities said an inquiry has been initiated into the incident.
