Judicial probe ordered into prisoner Brij Pal Malik's death

MUZAFFARNAGAR: Judicial probe has been ordered into the death of an undertrial prisoner, accused of committing arson and murder in the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots, jail authorities said today.

Judicial inquiry was ordered into the death of 42-year-old Brij Pal Malik, Superintendent of district jail, Sevaram Choudhry said.

Malik died of brain hemorrhage on Thursday. He was taken to a district hospital where he was declared dead.

He was in depression and banged his head against the wall in the jail during which he suffered injuries, Choudhary added.

Malik was initially admitted to the jail hospital, he said.

Meanwhile, irate family members and locals blocked the Meerut-Karnal Highway near Hasanpur village last night demanding strict action against jail authorities for not providing proper medical treatment to the deceased.

They called off the protest on the assurance of district authorities that action would be taken in this connecion.

Malik was sent to jail on January 30 for his alleged involvement in the riots that left more than 60 people dead and rendered many homeless.