Prisoner dies at Badin jail, prompting calls for inquiry

BADIN: A prisoner lodged at District Jail Badin died on Sunday in what officials described as an apparent suicide, while local civil society figures raised doubts about the circumstances and demanded an impartial investigation.

In an official statement, the jail administration identified the deceased as Hussain, son of Suleman Kachhi, a resident of Matli taluka. It said an FIR, No. 160/2026, had been registered against him at Matli Police Station and that he was sent to District Jail Badin on judicial remand by the Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate-II Matli on June 4.

According to the jail administration, Hussain went to a washroom next to a barrack near the jail kitchen on Sunday, where he allegedly hanged himself. Reports said his body was later shifted from the jail to Indus Hospital Badin.

Following the death, civil society leaders voiced concern over the incident and questioned conditions inside the jail. They alleged that District Jail Badin had long been effectively run by a sepoy and a head clerk, and claimed inmates were subjected to mistreatment. They also alleged that money was collected daily from prisoners in exchange for relief from labour, family meetings and other facilities, while poor-quality food was served. According to their allegations, inmates who failed to pay faced physical and mental harassment and torture, and funds meant for prisoners' meals existed only on paper.