Undertrial’s death in Tripura jail sparks kin’s inquiry demand
Times of India | 27 July 2026
Agartala: The death of an undertrial prisoner at Tripura’s central correctional home on Sunday sparked demands for an independent inquiry, with the deceased’s family alleging that he was in good health just days before his death.
The deceased, Pranab Pal, a fish trader from Hairmara in Agartala, was arrested in connection with the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) case after police allegedly recovered bottles of Phensedyl cough syrup from a fish consignment linked to him. He was subsequently remanded to judicial custody.
“We are in disbelief at the news of his death. Everything seemed fine during our last visit, which raises our suspicions,” they stated, advocating for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of his custodial death.
Correctional home authorities said Pal suffered a cardiac arrest on Sunday morning. They claimed he was immediately shifted to Bishalgarh Hospital and said CCTV footage documenting the sequence of events was available. The family, however, questioned the official account and refused to accept the body, which was kept at Agartala Govt Medical College, until an independent probe is ordered. The incident has renewed concerns over custodial deaths and the adequacy of medical care in correctional facilities. The family has demanded a transparent inquiry to determine the exact cause of death and whether any negligence was involved.