Undertrial prisoner assaulted in Odisha’s Rayagada sub-jail

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Rayagada, Apr 8:  

An undertrial prisoner was assaulted brutally inside Odisha’s Rayagada sub-jail this morning while he was returning to jail after submitting a petition to prison officials.

The victim, identified as Tirtha Kumar Sahoo, has been admitted to Rayagada district headquarters hospital for treatment. His condition is said to be stable now.

Past enmity is said to be the motive behind the attack. The jail authorities, however, have referred the case to the local police for further investigation.

“The incident occurred this morning at about 8:30. A group of inmates attacked the victim when he was returning to his cell after submitting a petition against some of the government officials. Past enmity is suspected; however, we have referred the case to the local police,” said Jail Superintendent Raj Kishore Nayak confirming the incident.

“I had tried to submit an FIR against the Collector, Sub-Collector, Additional Collector and the Deputy Superintendent of Police earlier. The IIC, however, didn’t lodge the case. Today, I had submitted a prison petition to the Jail Superintendent on this context and was returning back to my cell. That is when four inmates stopped me and accused me of submitting complaints against them. Even though I attempted to clear the air, they paid no heed and assaulted me with a stick injuring me grievously,” said Tirtha speaking to reporters from the hospital bed.

It may be noted that Tirtha had been arrested two days back on charges of cattle smuggling.