“My Husband Is on Hunger Strike, Facing Caste Bias”: Wife Alleges Denial of Medicine, Visits & Phone in Bhagalpur Special Central Jail

Bhagalpur- Families of two prisoners lodged in Bhagalpur Special Central Jail have filed serious complaints before the District Magistrate on 16 August, alleging mental and physical harassment by the jail administration.

Both families claim the prisoners have been kept in solitary confinement (cell) for a prolonged period, with meeting and phone facilities stopped. One prisoner has been on hunger strike for several days.

The families allege that the mistreatment began after both prisoners wrote against corruption inside the jail. They have demanded an impartial inquiry, assurance of safety, and permission for meetings.

Saumya, a resident of Pali in Begusarai district, has complained about her husband Rishikesh Kumar Bihari Paswan alias Rakesh. She stated that her husband was implicated in multiple cases arising from rural politics and a land dispute. Due to the influence of the opposing party, he was transferred from Khagaria jail to Bhagalpur Central Jail.

Rakesh had also written several times against corruption in the jail through his wife. The family alleges that this is why he has been kept in solitary confinement for nearly 15 days. His health had been deteriorating. Saumya used to take medicines for him and earlier meeting and conversation facilities were available, but these have been stopped for the past few weeks.

Speaking in detail to The Mooknayak, Saumya said her husband used to sell medicines. He was sent to jail in a case about two years ago and was transferred from Khagaria to Bhagalpur Central Jail a year ago, after which the family’s difficulties escalated.

“I first have to go from my village to Begusarai and then take a train to Bhagalpur, which takes three to four hours. I leave my three small children with relatives and somehow reach there. Even after taking prior online permission for meeting, they do not allow me to meet him. I had some legal papers and important documents to give him, but they did not allow the meeting. I handed them over to the sentry at the gate, but those too were not delivered to my husband,” she said.

Saumya alleged that her husband has several health-related problems but is not receiving proper medicines and treatment regularly. Earlier, he was allowed to speak to the family on the official phone twice a week; that facility has also been stopped. During the last meeting, Rakesh had spoken about his difficulties. He has been on hunger strike since 11 August, but the jail administration has not taken any appropriate action so far.

Saumya said the family is worried and fearful that something untoward may happen to him. She further alleged that because he belongs to the Dalit community, he is being treated worse than others. Even packaged food items are not allowed, and bribes are openly demanded to take these inside.

She has requested the District Magistrate to order an impartial and immediate inquiry, ensure her husband’s safety, grant permission for a meeting, take action against those responsible if mistreatment or assault is found, and issue directions for his regular production in the ongoing cases in Khagaria.

Meeting with brother denied

Golu Jha, a resident of Rahimapur in Vaishali district, has complained about his brother Nishant Jha. He stated that his brother was implicated in multiple cases due to a political dispute. Because the opposing side is highly influential and powerful, Nishant was administratively transferred from Vaishali jail to Bhagalpur Central Jail.

Nishant had written several times against corruption in Bhagalpur Central Jail through his brother. The family alleges that solely for this reason the jail administration has kept him in solitary confinement inside the jail for many days. His health was also poor. Golu used to take medicines and earlier the jail administration allowed meetings and conversations. But for the past few weeks this facility has been completely stopped. He is not being allowed to meet his brother.

Golu alleged that he has received information that the jail administration is subjecting his brother to serious mistreatment and mental as well as physical torture. The entire family is extremely distressed and frightened. He has requested the District Magistrate for an impartial and immediate inquiry, assurance of Nishant’s safety, permission for a direct meeting, action against those responsible if the allegations of mistreatment or assault are found true, and directions for his regular production in the ongoing cases in Hajipur for smooth hearing.

Both complaints show a similar pattern. Both prisoners were transferred from jails in other districts to Bhagalpur Special Central Jail because of influential opposing parties. Both wrote against corruption in the jail and were thereafter put in solitary cells. Meeting and phone facilities were suspended. Health-related problems have been reported. One prisoner is on hunger strike. Both families have demanded safety, meeting rights and an impartial inquiry.

The Mooknayak has emailed the Jail Superintendent of Bhagalpur and the Superintendent of Police, Bhagalpur, seeking the official response of the jail administration on the allegations levelled by the families of both prisoners. The report will be updated once a response is received.