Rajkumari Sethy at the Odisha Human Rights Commission in Bhubaneswar on Friday. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, May 4: Family members of a warder in the Biju Pattnaik Open Air jail at Jamujhori on the city outskirts today alleged that his death last month was a result of torture by his seniors.

The family members of Kalucharan Sethy, who died on April 5, today met inspector general of prisons Pranabindu Acharya and later lodged a complaint with the Odisha Human Rights Commission.

Kalucharan died on the way to a public health centre at Mendhasal after he complained of chest pain. His wife Rajkumari Sethy alleged that he had been tortured mentally and physically by jail authorities on the same day.

The family today presented a compact disc to Acharya and the human rights commission that contained visuals of several irregularities in the jail.

“As my husband had been opposing the corrupt practices of his seniors, he had been targeted by these officials. They were torturing him everyday,” said Rajkumari.

The family alleged that the jailer, sub-jailer and jail superintendent were involved in several illegal activities there. The disc allegedly contained information about the low-quality food provided to the inmates and the manipulation of profits acquired from selling cow milk.

It also has information about how the officials have been forcibly occupying staff quarters and offices for their personal activities.

“My father, who had been working here for the last six years, observed such irregularities for the last one year. He used to say us about many wrongdoings of the jail officials. He had also told us that whoever opposed to the officials’ malpractices had to face their wrath. Inmates who opposed the officials’ activities were even sent to Jharapada jail. My father was also under tremendous pressure as the authorities used to harass him over petty issues,” said Susil Kumar Sethy, the younger son of the deceased.

Acharya confirmed that Kalucharan’s family members had met him and submitted a disc.

“An inquiry into the incident had already been ordered. The disc has also been given to the inquiring office. I have instructed the inquiring officer to probe the grievances of Kalucharan’s family members. Strong action will be taken if anyone is found guilty,” he said.