Another prisoner, suffering from cancer, dies in Coimbatore jail

His death comes barely a couple of days after that of another convict identified as Sokkanathan losing his life due to a sudden epileptic attack. 

Sokkanathan was imprisoned on April 16 at the Coimbatore Central Prison in connection with a narcotics case. A few days ago, Sokkanathan suffered an epileptic attack and was rushed to the CMCH, however, he was declared brought dead by the doctors. 

Even as the back-to-back deaths due to apparent medical reasons have raised questions over the medical treatment given to sick prisoners, Coimbatore Central Prison Superintendent Senthil Kumar on Thursday suspended two wardens for negligence of duty following the death of a rape convict on Wednesday. 

Head warden Thirunavukarasu and Pazhalanivelu were placed under suspension for failing to prevent the death of rape convict Srinivasan. He was arrested and lodged in the prison for sexually assaulting a girl in Erode district. 

The prisoner, who was involved in work in the jail premises along with other prisoners, had suddenly went missing from the spot. He was later found hanging from a towel tied to the ceiling fan in the jail premises. After a departmental enquiry, the prison SP placed the two wardens under suspension. 

The incident received widespread condemnation as human rights activists protested against the department for failing to curb such deaths.  “Prisoners, who are already in a depressed state of mind, should be given regular psychological counselling to prevent such suicides. A robust monitoring mechanism should also be implemented to prevent such deaths,” said Manoj Kumar, an activist from Coimbatore.