An Indian prisoner was found dead in Malir jail in Karachi, Pakistan in a suspected suicide, Geo TV reported, citing prison officials. The tragic incident occurred between the night of March 24 and 25, according to Malir Jail Superintendent Arshad Shah.
Indian Prisoner Identified as Gaurav
The victim was identified as Gaurav, son of Ram Anand, who has been in Malir jail since February 2, 2022, on the orders of a civil judge. According to jail staff, Gaurav was found hanging from a rope inside the washroom of the barrack, which is shared by other Indian prisoners.
The duty doctor of the prison saw him and declared him dead at 2:20 AM. According to procedure, the duty magistrate held an inquest and directed that the body be stored in a morgue until further orders.
Body Transferred to Jinnah Hospital and Edhi Mortuary
After ascertaining the death of Gaurav, the doctors shifted his body to Jinnah Hospital for legal formalities. Later, the body was shifted to the Edhi Mortuary in Sohrab Goth by the authorities. Officials said an autopsy will be performed under the magistrate’s orders to ascertain the actual cause of death.
India-Pakistan Prisoner List Exchange
This tragic event follows only months after India and Pakistan had exchanged lists of prisoners on New Year’s Day, under the 2008 Consular Access Agreement. According to this agreement, both nations exchange lists of prisoners annually on January 1 and July 1.
Pakistan, as of January 2024, had 266 Indian prisoners in its custody, 49 of whom were civilian prisoners and 217 were fishermen. The authorities of Pakistan handed the list over to an Indian High Commission official in Islamabad.
Ongoing Investigation
The authorities in Pakistan have opened an investigation into how Gaurav died. Officials have not yet established that foul play was involved or that this was a suicide. More details will follow after the autopsy report is completed.
The incident has sparked fears over the treatment of Indian prisoners in Pakistani prisons as well as the wider diplomatic relations between the two countries.
