Undertrial dies after suffering burns in Bihar jail

An undertrial prisoner, who was set on fire allegedly by a jail official in Bihar, Monday succumbed to his injuries at the Patna Medical College and Hospital here, officials said.

Rupesh Paswan, in his early 40s, was lodged in Nawada jail for the past four years for offences under the Arms Act. He suffered 80 percent burn injuries.

Paswan alleged that Jailor Lal Babu Singh and his accomplices Gopi Yadav and Brahmadev Yadav Sunday beat him up severely and then poured kerosene and burnt him.

However, Nawada District Magistrate Lalan Ji said the jail authorities have informed him that Paswan had tried to commit suicide by setting himself afire.

The district administration has ordered a probe into the incident.