31-year-old undertrial dies in Odisha jail, family demands probe into death
At least 370 prisoners died in the state’s prisons between 2019 and 2024, according to government data
Runa Badarait, a 31-year-old undertrial prisoner accused of a Pocso case, died in a jail in Odisha's Gajapati district on Saturday night. His family is demanding an investigation into his unexplained death. Runa was arrested on August 10 in connection with the case and was in judicial custody at the Paralakhemundi sub-jail. According to the jail superintendent, Runa complained of chest pain around 8 pm and was treated with medication.
However, his condition worsened and he was shifted to the Paralakhemundi District Headquarters Hospital, where he was declared dead the next morning. The family is questioning the circumstances of his death, as he was previously in good health and had spoken to his wife on the phone that afternoon. They allege there may be another reason behind his sudden and unnatural death.
The jail authorities claim Runa's health deteriorated suddenly and that he was taken to the hospital for further treatment. However, the medical report states that Runa was already dead when brought to the hospital, leading to an inquest and registration of a case of unnatural death. This incident adds to the concerns over prison conditions and inmate deaths in Odisha.
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