Prisoner falls sick after ‘smoking ganja’ at Jharpada jail in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: An under trial prisoner (UTP) at Jharpada Special Jail in Odisha capital here reportedly fell sick after smoking ganja yesterday night.

The UTP, identified as Ranjan Behera (19), was rushed to Capital Hospital, sources said.

Behera reportedly complained of chest pain at around 8 pm yesterday. His fellow prisoners immediately informed the incident to the jail authorities, sources said.

The prisoners reportedly told the jail authorities that Behera smoked ganja in the evening. Behera was taken to Capital Hospital soon after a doctor at the jail dispensary examined him, sources added.

“The prisoners informed the jail warder that Behera had smoked Ganja before complaining of chest pain yesterday. However, it is suspected that he might have consumed brown sugar inside the prison,” said a source.

Notably, the police have seized liquor and other intoxicants from the jail premises several times in the past. A senior judicial official reportedly expressed his concern over smuggling of liquor, cannabis and other intoxicants into the jail during a routine inspection a few days ago.