The Modern Jail in Faridkot has come under intense scrutiny after the death of two inmates by suicide within a span of a week, raising serious concerns over overcrowding, drug abuse and lapses in prison monitoring.
The latest incident occurred on Sunday when Swaranjit Singh, lodged in connection with a 2017 drug smuggling case, allegedly ended his life by hanging himself from an iron channel inside his barrack.
Just days earlier, Jugnu Baba, a resident of Jagraon in Ludhiana, who had been arrested in April 2023 in a dacoity and loot case, also committed suicide in similar circumstances.
The back-to-back deaths, reportedly involving the same method, point to a disturbing pattern inside the prison and have triggered questions about inmates’ safety and supervision.
In both the cases, the deceased were found during routine checks and were declared dead shortly thereafter. Their bodies were shifted to local hospitals for post-mortem. As per protocol, judicial inquiries have been ordered into the custodial deaths.
Officials say the incidents, have exposed grim realities inside the jail, which is operating far beyond its capacity.
Against a sanctioned strength of 2,200 inmates, the facility currently houses over 2,700 prisoners—about 135 per cent occupancy—leading to severe strain on infrastructure, hygiene, and security.
Sources indicate that drug addiction remains widespread among inmates. The combination of substance abuse, overcrowding and the stress of prolonged legal battles has created a “pressure cooker” environment, heightening the risk of mental health crisis.
The fact that both inmates allegedly used barrack fixtures—highly visible structures—to take their lives has also raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of night surveillance, including CCTV monitoring and patrol mechanisms.
With complain of being short-staffed, the jail administration has initiated a comprehensive probe.
“A judicial magistrate will conduct the inquiry in line with standard procedures for custodial deaths. Statements of family members are also being recorded to ascertain any allegations of harassment or prior mental distress,” a prison official said.
