Gujarat : Murder Shocks Sabarmati Central Jail as Inmate Kills Fellow Prisoner

AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT : In a shocking incident that has thrown Sabarmati Central Jail into controversy, a murder has been reported within the premises of what is considered the largest and most secure prison in the state. The gruesome event occurred early in the morning, revealing severe lapses in jail security and raising questions about inmate management.

The tragic incident unfolded at around 5 a.m. in Bada Chakkar Yard No. 4 of Sabarmati Central Jail. Bharat Prajapati, a 40-year-old inmate serving a life sentence for murder, brutally attacked 71-year-old fellow inmate Keshabhai Patel while he was sleeping. Prajapati reportedly used a brick to strike Patel on the head, leading to fatal injuries. The attack was discovered only after the severely injured Patel screamed, alerting the jail staff.

The prison’s medical team promptly arrived at the scene and provided immediate medical attention to Patel. Despite their efforts, Patel’s injuries proved fatal. The incident was promptly reported to the Ranip police, who have since registered a case of murder and commenced a thorough investigation.

Inspector J.P. Patel of Ranip police station stated, “We have registered a case under Sections 302 and 303 of the IPC against Bharat Prajapati. We have also seized CCTV footage from the incident site to aid in our investigation.”

The motive behind the murder remains unclear. Bharat Prajapati, originally from Gandhinagar, was an army sepoy stationed in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, before being convicted of murder on July 6, 2023. Since then, he had been incarcerated at Sabarmati Central Jail. Notably, Prajapati had a history of violence within the prison, having been involved in a fight with another inmate on January 13, 2024, which resulted in disciplinary action by the jail authorities.

The victim, Keshabhai Patel, was serving a sentence for attempted murder. His untimely death has raised concerns about the safety and security measures within the prison, particularly regarding the monitoring of inmates with violent tendencies.

This incident is not the first controversy to hit Sabarmati Central Jail. The prison has faced multiple issues in the past, including the discovery of contraband such as mobile phones within its premises. This latest event has intensified scrutiny on the prison administration and its ability to maintain order and safety.

In response to the incident, authorities have pledged to conduct a comprehensive review of the prison’s security protocols. Efforts are being made to understand the root causes of such violent outbreaks among inmates and to prevent future occurrences. The prison administration is expected to enhance surveillance and improve the management of high-risk inmates.