An undertrial slit his throat while being frisked by prison staff and police personnel at the gate of the Central Prison, Puzhal.
“He has the habit of causing self-harm frequently. He’s been in and out of prison many times. This is not the first time he has done so,” said a prison official. ‘Burma’ Pandian, 32, a resident of Sadayankuppam, is an accused in more than 20 criminal cases, including robbery and theft.
He was arrested in connection with a burglary in Madhavaram and lodged in Puzhal prison. Two days ago, the city Police Commissioner issued orders detaining him under the the Goondas Act. Armed Police personnel produced him before a judicial magistrate court in Ambattur and on their return, he was frisked by the prison warders and the Armed Police personnel.
Suddenly, he spat out a blade and used it to cut his neck. When a jail warder Suresh Babu attempted to stop him, he cut his hand as well. Prison officials said he had to be frisked thoroughly since he used to bring contraband after visiting the courts. He was admitted with profuse bleeding to the prison hospital and is out of danger.
