Pak orders inquiry into Indian’s death

Pakistan has launched a judicial inquiry into the death of Indian national Chambel Singh, who was serving a five-year jail term for spying, following allegations that he died after being beaten by prison staff.

Refuting reports that Singh was beaten up, Ishtiaq Ahmed, the Additional Superintendent of Kot Lakhpat Jail, said that the Indian prisoner had developed pain in his chest while having breakfast on January 15 and was then taken to a state-run hospital.

"We shifted him to Jinnah Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead. The apparent cause of death was cardiac arrest, according to the doctors," Ahmed said.

Following allegations and media reports that Singh was assaulted by the prison staff, authorities launched a judicial inquiry into his death.

Judicial magistrate Afzal Abbas recorded the statements of 14 Indian prisoners who were in the same barrack as Singh.

"All the 14 Indian prisoners have recorded their statements. There is no question of torture either by the staff or other prisoners," Ahmed said.

Other officials said that the judicial magistrate was awaiting autopsy findings to finalise his report on Singh's death.

Syed Mudassar Hussain, an Associate Professor in the Forensic Department of Jinnah Hospital, said that the autopsy of Singh's body was yet to be performed.

Singh was serving a five-year term for his alleged involvement in espionage.

The records of Kot Lakhpat Jail state that Singh was arrested near the border at Sialkot in 2010. He was brought to Kot Lakhpat Jail in June last year.

"The body will be handed over to Indian authorities once legal requirements are met," Ahmed said.

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