2 women prisoners attempt suicide at Goa jail within 24 hours

Two women under-trial prisoners at the Sada sub-jail in Vasco town of Goa tried to commit suicide by consuming phenol, police said today.
Renuka Chawan, who is on trial for murder, consumed phenol, used for cleaning floor, last evening, while Reshma Sheikh, her cell-mate who is arrested in a trafficking case, consumed the same chemical this evening.
A senior jail official said they were now undergoing treatment at the Goa Medical College and Hospital near here.
A Mormugao police official said Chawan said in her statement to the police that she drank phenol because she was feeling depressed and wanted to end her life.

Jail authorities said precautions are always taken to ensure that inmates do not get access to such substances.
"We have to see how they got it. Inquiry is being conducted," Assistant Jail Superintendent of Sada sub-jail Bhanudas Pednekar said.