Bhubaneswar: A rape accused allegedly committed suicide at Jharpada Special Jail early on Saturday.

While the jail authorities suspect Jitendra Biswal, 33, of committing suicide under mental pressure, his family has alleged foul play.

Jail sources said Biswal, who had been facing trial in the Chandka rape case in July 2013, was found hanging from an iron railing of the window of the jail toilet on Saturday morning. "Other inmates told us he had gone to the toilet in the early hours but did not return. When the inmates raised an alarm, we rushed to spot and found Biswal hanging from a railing with his towel," said a jail official.

Biswal was later rushed to Capital Hospital where he was pronounced brought dead.

The jail authorities said Biswal, in November last year, had been convicted in a cheating case and sentenced to seven years' rigorous imprisonment.

"If he was indeed under stress, why did he not take the extreme step during his stay at the jail for the past five years? He used to tell us he was being harassed mentally at the jail. Besides, we came to know about his death through the media not the jail authorities. So, we suspect foul play," said Premananda Biswal, the deceased's father.

Director-general of police R.P. Sharma said an inquiry has been initiated.