Tragedy at Tihar Jail: A Prisoner Dies by Suicide
In a tragic incident, a prisoner in Tihar Jail’s hospital died by suicide on Monday morning. The inmate, identified as Ramesh Karmakar, was an under-trial prisoner who had been admitted to the jail hospital for treatment since May 28. He was initially housed in Jail Number 4 but was moved to Jail Number 3 for medical care.
Karmakar’s body was discovered hanging from a window late on Sunday night. The jail authorities were notified early on Monday, and the incident is currently under investigation. This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by correctional facilities in ensuring the mental well-being of inmates, especially those undergoing prolonged periods of detention.
Another Death in Custody
This is not the first such incident reported in recent months. Earlier, an accused individual named Saquib Nachan, linked to the terror group Islamic State (ISIS), passed away at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi. According to sources, Nachan had been in judicial custody at Tihar Jail since 2023 and was admitted to the hospital a few days before his death.
Nachan was previously convicted for his involvement in the Mumbai bomb blasts of 2002 and 2003. He was also known for his association with ISIS, where he assumed the title of “Amir-e-Hind,” or leader of the Indian branch of the organization.
Background on Saquib Nachan
In June 2024, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed charges against Nachan along with 16 other individuals involved in a conspiracy related to the recruitment and radicalization of youth, as well as the production of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). This case was part of the broader “Delhi-Padgha ISIS terror module” investigation.
The accused were charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Arms Act, and the Explosive Substances Act. They were found to be involved in a large-scale conspiracy that included the spread of ISIS ideology among vulnerable youth, the manufacturing of explosives, and fundraising for the banned organization.
The NIA’s investigation led to the seizure of numerous incriminating documents, data, and materials related to the production of explosives and IEDs. Additionally, propaganda publications such as “Voice of Hindi,” “Rumiyah,” “Khilafat,” and “Dabiq”—all published by ISIS—were recovered during the operation.
Ongoing Concerns
These incidents raise serious concerns about the conditions within prisons and the handling of high-profile detainees. While authorities continue to emphasize their commitment to maintaining security and order, cases like these underscore the need for improved mental health support and better oversight for prisoners, particularly those with complex legal and political backgrounds.
As investigations into both incidents are ongoing, further details are expected to emerge. For now, the deaths of Ramesh Karmakar and Saquib Nachan serve as grim reminders of the challenges faced by the criminal justice system in India.
