Rights Body Takes Serious View Of Deaths By Suicide In Mumbai, Kolkata Jails

While dealing with the proceedings related to these cases, the Commission has observed that the incidents reveal mismanagement in the jails in Maharashtra and West Bengal.

The National Human Rights Commission, (NHRC) India, has taken a serious view of the deaths due to suicide by the two prisoners of Navi Mumbai and Dum Dum Central Correctional Home, Kolkata, and non-submission of requisite reports in the matters by the concerned authorities despite its notices. While dealing with the proceedings related to these cases, the Commission has observed that the incidents reveal mismanagement in the jails in Maharashtra and West Bengal. There are adequate provisions in jail manuals providing for an atmosphere free from temptations, which do not give an opportunity to any inmate to commit suicide. It is for this reason that ceiling fans and hanging hooks are not provided in the prison cells. The suicide by an under-trial prisoner in the Taloja Central Jail happened on May 27, 2020, while the convicted prisoner of Dum Dum Central Correctional Home, Kolkata, West Bengal, committed suicide at SSK Hospital on April 28, 2020, while undergoing treatment.