Argus News - Another death Inside Choudwar jail raises fresh questions over prison safety

Cuttack, Feb 2: An inmate was found dead under suspicious circumstances inside Choudwar Circle Jail in Odisha’s Cuttack district on Sunday evening, once again raising concerns over safety and monitoring at the high-security prison.

The deceased was identified as MD Kalim, a resident of the Hatipokhari area in Cuttack. Jail authorities said Kalim was found hanging with a towel inside the jail premises at around 6:30pm. He was immediately shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Prison officials have prima facie described the incident as a case of suicide. DIG of Prisons (Cuttack Range) Anusaya Jena said the inmate allegedly took his own life during lock-up hours. She said Kalim had been lodged in the psychiatric ward on medical advice after displaying violent behaviour. According to officials, he used his own towel to hang himself. The DIG said there was no negligence on the part of the jail administration and that the inmate’s psychiatric condition was a factor.

Kalim had been lodged at Choudwar Circle Jail since December after being arrested in an attempt to murder case. Officials said he was transferred to the psychiatric ward following a medical assessment that found him mentally unstable.

Also Read: Dharmendra Pradhan Hails Highest-Ever Rail Allocation for Odisha

Following the incident, officers from Choudwar police station and the ACP of Cuttack Zone I visited the jail premises and initiated an inquiry to determine the circumstances leading to the death. The investigation is continuing.

Questions on Prison Security

The incident adds to a series of serious security-related events reported at Choudwar Circle Jail over the past year.

In May 2025, the body of life-term convict Bishnu Charan Swain, imprisoned in a murder case, was found hanging from a mango tree inside the jail premises. Jail authorities had then stated that it was a case of suicide.

On October 3, 2025, two undertrial prisoners from Bihar - Raja Sahani and Madhukant Kumar - facing robbery and murder charges, escaped from the jail using a rope made from clothes. The escape had triggered widespread concern over prison security.

On October 20, 2025, two inmates, Kabi Seth and Santosh Sinha, were involved in a violent altercation inside a cell. Sinha was critically injured after being attacked with a steel plate. CCTV footage of the incident later surfaced on social media.

In November 2025, the body of convict Pabitra Sahu, serving a sentence in an economic offence case, was found hanging inside a jail toilet. Jail authorities had said suicide was suspected.

Also Read: As Cigarettes Get Costlier Overnight, Study Says Quitting Can Still Save Your Brain

Choudwar Jail Capacity

Officials said Choudwar Circle Jail houses undertrial prisoners, convicts and inmates shifted for enhanced security. The jail has a capacity of 1,166 inmates. Of the 118 sanctioned warder posts, 45 are vacant. The facility has four watchtowers, six blocks comprising 44 cells and wards, and 198 CCTV cameras spread across its 25-acre campus.