UP Jail Warder Dies After Illness; Wife Alleges Leave Denial, Superintendent Refutes Charge

A 45-year-old warder posted at the Mirzapur District Jail died on Sunday evening after his health deteriorated. The deceased, Anand Shukla, was a resident of Haran village under Khetasarai police station area in Jaunpur and had been posted in Mirzapur for the past six months.

According to jail officials, Shukla had been unwell for the last three days and was initially treated by the jail doctor. On Sunday afternoon, he was reportedly examined by a private physician and returned to his residence. However, around 7 pm, his condition worsened. He was then taken by police personnel to the divisional hospital, where the emergency doctor declared him dead.

Following his death, tension prevailed at the hospital as family members arrived.

Shukla’s wife, Preeti, alleged that her husband had been suffering from tingling in his legs and had sought leave for medical treatment, but the jail administration denied his request. She claimed that due to non-availability of leave, he could not receive proper treatment in time, leading to his death.

Responding to the allegations, Jail Superintendent RP Chaudhary denied any negligence. He stated that Shukla had recently been granted seven days’ leave for his brother-in-law’s wedding and was periodically granted leave as required. He maintained that Shukla was provided medical treatment whenever he fell ill and termed the allegations as baseless.

Further inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death is awaited.