Undertrial ends life by hanging in Arthur prison

Mumbai: A 26-year-old undertrial Sabir Ali Shaikh committed suicide in Arthur Road central jail on Monday morning. Shaikh hanged himself to death in a cell with the help of a cloth which he tore from his bedsheet. Shaikh had previously attempted to commit suicide but was unsuccessful. Following which he was shifted to a separate cell as he was receiving treatment, said sources. The Andheri’s MIDC police had arrested Shaikh three years ago on charges of murder. The NM Joshi police has registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and is probing the matter from all angles, including where there was any negligence on the part of prison personnel. 

According to the police sources, the incident took place at 4 am on Monday morning. The jail officials found his body hanging from a ceiling fan. Shaikh was arrested on three murder charges by the MIDC police. Sources claimed that Shaikh had attempted to commit suicide in January as well, but was saved by the jail staff. However, this time Shaikh was successful in committing suicide, despite a prison personnel standing near his cell.

Virendra Mishra, deputy commissioner of police (Zone 3) said, “The accused was receiving treatment for psychiatric imbalance, and was shifted to a separate cell. We did not find any suicide note at the spot, and we are probing the matter with an internal inquiry likely to be ordered.”

A police inspector said that while earlier attempts were made by Shaikh to commit suicide, he was saved by the prison guards. The police inspector added that Shaikh was also counselled. The police and doctors tried to ascertain the reason behind his suicide attempts but were not able to find anything concert.