Undertrial inmate found dead inside Sabarmati Central Jail

An undertrial prisoner lodged at Sabarmati Central Jail was found dead inside the prison premises in the early hours of Saturday, prompting the Ranip police to initiate legal procedures and seek a magisterial site inspection.

According to police, the deceased has been identified as Nishansingh Kedarsingh Lohar (31), an undertrial inmate bearing prisoner number 328/26. He was a resident of Mundapinda village, Punjab.

Police said the inmate was in Sabarmati Central Jail under judicial custody following an order passed by an additional chief judicial magistrate of Viramgam on January 8, in connection with an offence registered under Section of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The incident came to light during the intervening night of January 16 and 17, 2026, when prison staff noticed that the inmate had allegedly taken his own life inside the bathroom of Shantiniketan Ward, Barrack No. 04. Preliminary information suggests that he used a piece of cloth from his turban to hang himself.

Upon receiving the information, the on-duty jailor and the prison medical officer immediately reached the spot and conducted a preliminary examination. The medical officer declared the inmate dead at around 2.45 am on January 17, police said.

Following the incident, the Ranip police were informed, and a formal report was prepared. As part of the legal procedure in cases of custodial death, the investigating officer has formally requested the concerned executive magistrate to visit the site and conduct a spot inspection at Sabarmati Central Jail.

Police officials said further inquiry and post-mortem procedures will be conducted, and statements of jail staff and other relevant persons will be recorded to ascertain the circumstances leading to the death.

A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway, the police added.