Prisoner dies during treatment in Madhepura hospital

Madhepura: An undertrial prisoner lodged in Madhepura Jail died during treatment at a govt hospital on Tuesday, triggering protests by locals who alleged custodial assault.

The deceased, Deepak Kumar (27), a resident of Madhepura town, had surrendered before a court in connection with a pending case and was sent to judicial custody last week.

According to officials, he complained of severe abdominal pain on Monday night and his condition deteriorated. The jail administration informed his family and shifted him to Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Medical College and Hospital for treatment, where he died.

News of his death spread quickly, prompting a gathering outside the hospital. Protesters raised slogans against the jail administration and alleged that the prisoner had been assaulted inside the jail.

Madhepura police station SHO Bimlendu Kumar and Singheshwar police station SHO Binod Kumar Singh reached the hospital with police personnel and brought the situation under control.

Police assured the protesters that appropriate action would be taken after the post-mortem report is received.

The body was later sent to the sadar hospital for post-mortem examination. Authorities are awaiting the report to ascertain the exact cause of death.