Yerawada Jail Violence: Murder Undertrial Assaulted by Two Inmates In Pune
Pune: Five Mobile Phones and Power Banks Seized During Surprise Search at Yerawada Central Jail
Violence erupted early Monday inside Yerawada Central Prison when a clash between inmates left one prisoner critically injured. A piece of floor tile was used in the attack, causing serious head injuries and prompting an urgent hospital transfer. The shocking incident raises fresh concerns about inmate safety within the facility.
Police have identified the victim as Vishal Nagnath Gaikwad, a resident of Laxminagar, who has been in judicial custody since January 2019 in connection with a murder case. The two men accused of attacking him have been named as Akash Satish Chandalia, 30, facing murder charges, and Deepak Sanjay Reddy, 27, an accused in an attempted murder case.
According to prison authorities, the attack occurred at around 6:45 a.m. while the inmates were carrying out their morning routine. “Preliminary investigations suggest that the assault was linked to a longstanding rivalry between the injured prisoner and the attackers. During the morning activities in the barrack, Chandalia and Reddy suddenly hit Kamble on the head with a piece of stone tile. Guards quickly intervened and restrained the assailants before rushing Kamble to the hospital,” said an officer from Yerawada police.
Kamble suffered severe head injuries and had to undergo surgery. He remains in the Intensive Care Unit, and authorities stated, “His statement will be recorded once he is physically able to communicate with us.”
This is not the first violent episode in the prison. Earlier this September, a 52-year-old life-term convict was attacked with a nail after a dispute over sleeping arrangements in a barrack. In December of the previous year, another argument among undertrial inmates escalated into a serious scuffle.
Officials note that the prison’s CCTV network, which includes more than 812 cameras, became fully operational only last year to improve monitoring and security inside the facility.
Following Monday’s attack, a case of attempted murder has been registered against Chandalia and Reddy at Yerawada Police Station. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine how the altercation escalated and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
