A remand prisoner was found dead under suspicious circumstances at the Kasaragod Sub-Jail in Kerala on Wednesday, following which his family alleged that he was murdered. A police investigation has been initiated into the incident.
The deceased, identified as Mubashir (30) of Deli, was reportedly discovered unconscious around 5.30 a.m. and shifted to the Kasaragod District Hospital, where he died during treatment. His body was later shifted to the Kannur Government Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
He was arrested on November 5 by the Vidyanagar police in connection with a 2016 POCSO case and remanded to the Kasaragod sub-jail.
The allegation of murder intensified pressure on jail authorities as political and social leaders, including Kasaragod MLA N.A. Nellikkunnu, visited the hospital and met the family. The MLA called for the incident to be treated with utmost seriousness.
According to the family, Mubashir had complained of repeated assault inside the jail.
Mr. Nellikunnu said Mubashir had told his mother during a prison visit two days earlier that co-prisoners were beating him and that jail authorities were admhim “tablets for mental stress”, making it difficult for him to stay inside the prison.
“He cried, saying he could not survive longer in jail,” said Mr. Nellikkunnu, quoting the family. They also alleged that jail staff forced him to take a daily tablet, suspected to be administered for mental health treatment, despite him reportedly having no known medical issues.
The police have registered a case of unnatural death and launched a probe. The Jail department has also initiated a departmental inquiry. The police said statements of family members and neighbours who raised suspicion would be recorded.
Published – November 26, 2025 04:23 pm IST
