Whether it is suicide or homicide, the death of Ram Singh — the main accused in the Delhi rape case of December 2012 — inside Tihar Jail is a damning indictment of the functioning of the prison authorities. There were warning signals, early on. Ram Singh and the other accused were put on special watch, or suicide watch, after they stopped interacting with other inmates. But despite the checks and watches, Ram Singh was found dead hanging on the grille of his cell on Monday. The guard posted outside his cell, which he shared with several other inmates, did not seem to have a clue about the death. The inescapable conclusion is that there was little or no monitoring of the cell. Ram Singh’s family and his lawyers have raised the possibility of murder. There had been complaints of ill-treatment at the hands of other inmates. Sexual offenders are easy targets for fellow prisoners, who often gang up against them with the connivance of jail staff. Because of the social stigma involved with sex crimes, prison authorities sometimes turn a blind eye to complaints from those accused of sexual offences. A prisoner with suicidal tendencies is usually not kept in solitary confinement for fear it could result in a downward spiral of depression. But great care has to be taken in screening the fellow inmates, and in preventing access to instruments that could aid suicide. In the case of Ram Singh, who was found hanging with his own clothes, it is not immediately clear whether all possible precautions were taken. Clearly, a full-fledged inquiry into the circumstances of his death is necessary to fix responsibility on jail staff and senior officials.
The life of an undertrial or convict is the responsibility of the prison authorities. In the absence of ownership of such responsibility, the whole criminal justice system becomes vulnerable. As the report of the All India Committee on Jail Reforms has pointed out, prisoners have the right to human dignity, the right to integrity of the body, and immunity from repression and abuse whether by custodial staff or fellow-prisoners. Only a comprehensive inquiry can reveal whether Ram Singh was treated with dignity in the prison both by jail staff and by other inmates. As investigations are complete, the Delhi rape case does seem an open-and-shut case with the identification and arrest of the accused. Ram Singh’s death, therefore, may not have implications for the conduct of the case and the trial of the other accused. However, this death should provoke changes in some of the processes and procedures in jail administration and bring amendments to the jail manuals to guarantee and ensure the rights of prisoners as human beings.
Keywords: Delhi rape accused death, Delhi gang rape case, Tihar jail, Ram Singh
Prisons are difficult places to live in...all across the globe in
every country..as stated in many reports. There are even more
dangerous for people accused and convicted of rape/paedophiles..as
these crimes are taboo even amongst the most die hard criminals. So,
whether there is connivance of the jail staff or not,people accused of
these crimes are targets of most of the fellow inmates...pure human
nature...not influenced by any law/rules. As regards to the security
of the prisoners..yes..in an ideal situation it is essential. However,
in India so many vital things are missing today, so essentials have to
wait in queue behind the vital issues Until then, all prospective
criminals can rethink if they should commit crimes and go to jail and
get killed..or shun these crimes and be safe.
The wise men tend to learn from the mistakes committed, though
unfortunately our administration is not.What is left now, is the din of
blame game, which leaves us totally exhausted. That the CM of New Delhi
is seen jittery rushing to the MHA to explain things and the minister's
accusing fingers pointed at jail authorities,could hardly resuscitate
the image of UPA government dented with this mysterious suicide. When
the whole world has turned highly sentitive to the injustice meted out
to Nirbhaya, the alleged hanging in Tihar jail has fuelled scores of
apprehensions. Is Tihar, a prison of high-profile crimes susceptible to
alleged maneuverability? If so, who are they and why? To sum, the
flamboyant assurance of steely measures is vanishing in thin air. It
shows our governance in poor light and the common people may tend to
harbour trust deficit.
Hate the Sin not the Sinner !! This is one of the major lapses by the
Jail authorities and imprisonment system in our country. The important
aspect is that he was accused in the rape case, not proved the guilty
for the reprehensible and condemnable act.
I see lot's of people are rejoicing this as if the jury has confirmed
his offense and given the judgement and condemned him to death.
A well written and timely editorial. Equally intersting are the
comments posted by the readers. Most of your readers who responded
have arrived at the following conclusions
1. Before the trial has concluded they have arrived at the verdict
of guilty. Time to ask to courts not to waste their time.
2. There is a firm belief that those who commit serious crimes do not have fundamental rights. This applies irrespective of whether they have been found to be guilty or not by the courts. 3. At least, one of the writers is of the opinion that even if this is a case of murder, it is justified.
In all this, the family of the girl Nirbhaya appear to have acted with greater equanimity. I do wish though, that the media will stop disturbing them everytime something happens. They need privacy to get over this terrible death. I do hope some voluntary organisation goes to help this family from interference by the media.
It may well be a case for Prison accountability,however with cases of 'Rape' the
human response of every citizen is the same. Be it a Jailor or an inmate serving life
sentence,the reaction to 'Rape' is a diabolical anger. Unless the Law Makers take it
on board that 'Rape' carries a death penalty,castration, the voices would not be
silenced. Mandatory death sentencing ,or castration pinned to the statute would
deter a maniacal urge to rape a woman( in sexual orientation cases a man could a
victim and castration might serve the statute ,especially when libralisation of gay
preferences could open another can of worms). Your tirade against the Jail
authorities, therefore, is bit shallow and reflects a sense of making a martyr of a
violent rapist.
It is most unfortunate to understand that even prison cells are not safe now, where inmates are supposed to be under strict security of police. We may not take it very serious in this particular case where the culprit is already known to have involved in a serious crime. How about other innocent inmates who are waiting for the justice. Prisons must be modernised to include CCTVs and monitors. Staff must be made more responsible and answerable for every incident, then only the entire system will improve.
It may be a lapse by the prison authorities, but considering the
horrific incident for which he was party,and the delay in justice for
the gruesome incident, I don't know why the fury and rage by people.
Where was his family,not condemning the act he committed that day. His
death is not a big issue, the only thing it depicts is the lapse in the
justice system which just drags the case and not giving true justice to
the victim.
Recently CJI of India admitted that albeit heinous the crime was not rarest of the rare and hence did not deserve death sentence.
The editorial is appropriate and raises correct questions to government. There is nothing precious than life. And in civilized society, an eye for an eye is not the correct way.
As this news are awaited since long but place and process could have been more official. Here few days back it was published - being this is not rarest of rare case - I support this one being evident reader for other frequent such similar events. Unfirtunatelty goverment had no official measure to hang this prisoner but goverment can not fight with people's sentiment. So ultimately, prisoner had to die. It could have been encounter, prison death, public justice etc. anything.
But actually root cause of these events is still at large. There is no way, goverment is looking to control that.
This prisoner death could be mere ending of this case ONLY, not the ending of rootcause which we all know but no one has working dare to combat with that. Thanks.
I have no mercy for Ram Singh and dont bother whether its a suicide or a
murder. I feel that he had an easy escape and I really wanted him to
suffer the same pain which Nirbhaya has gone through. The main point
here is the security of the innocents who are waiting for their
judgements in Tihar as they are also not safe. This suicide shows the
flaw in the security.
It may not yet been proved by the Govt, court and etc..but its the fact
that he along with his brother and friends raped, tortured and caused
death to the young girl in last December. For this heinous crime, he
deserved much more than this suicide/murder. Let all other accused also
be have their last breathe sooner. Then only, Nirbhaya's soul rests in
peace.
As much as I would have preferred a hanging for this criminal for his most heinous crime I
don't feel too bad for the way he met his end. I just hope that his death won't provide a
loophole for his other accomplishes to escape justice. He deserved what he got.
"The report of the All India Committee on Jail Reforms has pointed
out, prisoners have the right to human dignity, the right to integrity
of the body, and immunity from repression and abuse whether by
custodial staff or fellow-prisoners."
Further it says "this death should provoke changes in some of the
processes and procedures in jail administration and bring amendments
to the jail manuals to guarantee and ensure the rights of prisoners as
human beings."
Ruthless has the administration become, blind folded. To guarantee
prisoners's rights and security has gained all hoopla on the maximum
priority. But the demised soul, the angelic Indian girl, who was eaten
up by these beasts hasn't got justice even on her having to give up
her life. The victim's case has been facing posteriority on the
abusers suicide.
Alas!! Administration is more discerned about their fail to provide
security to the culprit under the jail than to their denounced failure
in providing security to women on the road!!
no one in his senses will
have sympathy for these
people. Now they say
torture. What was that they
did to that innocent girl.
Not only six raped but even
beaten her, removed
intestines etc
These people deserve
In god's darbar there could
be delay but not denial of
justice
It is well known that unwanted criminals are lodged in the cell along with sleeper goondas who are expected to kill the target in the cell to silence the accused once for all. In Andhra Pradesh "moddu Seenu" accused of killing MLA Ravi was finished allegedly by his cellmate to erase all evidence.
It is sad to see that media is making an issue out of a normal act. The
whole day was dedicated to the rapist. Although Ram Singh was under
trial but his crime was a proven fact and it is the flaw of our legal
system that a proven crime takes unnecessary long time to deliver a
verdict. For me prisoners specially rapist have no right to human
dignity as the crime they have done is inhuman. They should be treated
in the manner of the crime they have committed. They should be shown no
mercy.
Suicide or murder ? Ram Singh was the living evidence against the
Govt. policy which today continues to protect and fund the mindset of
Private business with no code of conduct for investors that hires
casual drivers for school bus via paid laws and regulations.Yadav
school bus with tinted glass & curtains was alleged having no permit
but was in good bribery books of the Delhi police. How the private bus
owners take sensitive projects for ferrying school children in a bus
and how a driver whose one hand was not working and his peers called
him `mental` was screened fit by transport department/police speaks
volume as to how easily the systems get fixed ?It was evident that the
cleaner with driving license used to handle the steering while Ram
Singh used to supervise the business inside the bus.Five other accused
in this 16th. Dec-2012 `Nirbhya`rape case as `footloose migrants` to
expensive urban Delhi still under trial can now easily shift the blame
to the dead Ram Singh.
It is ironic to know that Ram Singh the main accuse of Delhi gang rape
commits suicide.It also raises question that if a prisoner is not safe
in Tihar jail what else we can hope.In my opinion jail authority had
failed to protect the actual verdict of the heinous crime,Ram Singh
suicide is doubtful one and actual fact yet to come.Gov had no other
option to order an inquiry.
The editorial has rightly detailed the questions one shall raise about
his death....i believe the right to human dignity is forgotten in such
cases and people tend to make quick judgements....
Human dignity of a guy who raped a helpless young girl? I know innocent until proven guilty, but this guy was guilty, period! Did you want to feed him for 10 years like a 'sarkari jawaai' like Ajmal Kasab? He is dead... end of the story... stop wasting my time on this nonsense. If HRW wants to do something positive focus on normal people not criminals.
The rights of prisoners
No doubt the prisoners are human beings. He is not a convict till the court's verdict came. So he or she has the rights as like as an Indian citizen. But it is too serious that one of the prisoner committed suicide in the cell because he has know more about the crime situations. The chance of revealing the truth is vanished or the court would be missing some crucial evidence with the prisoner's death whether he committed suicide or homicide. So the jail authority would be care more the prisoners especially the prisoner is a involved one of the noted case that the national wide looking. It is the hour the jail cells should be came under camera and other modern equipment for the safety not only the prisoner and the national interests.
In the past we heard the parallel system working excellent and saw on
television VVIPs(Politicians+ Corporates) locked in ultra modern Tihar
Jail and running their business and addressing their followers by modern
communications or disappearing on Payroll.Did Tihar Jail known for its
manual and digital watch ever reported of a prisoner suicide before ?
With the mysterious death alleged as `suicide` of Ram Singh school bus
driver whose one hand was not working is a slap on our paid systems
which works parallel and faster under competition.
The Ways, under the Garb, The Prisoners Eliminated In Indian Jails:
The slogan is, “The life of an undertrial or convict is the
responsibility of the prison authorities”, ineffective so far.
The prison recorded 18 deaths, including two suicides.
???
The life of an undertrial or convict is the responsibility of the prison
authorities. So their failure /derelection of duty ought to be punished.
I feel sad that this country has gone to crows. I am a young person but I hate people commenting about ram singh be hanged publicly. Just for a single case you cannot put drastic changes to laws. Every one knows that he was murdered to satisfy the conscience of todays so called "Jantar mantar youth".
‘A person is innocent till he is proved guilty’ is as much applicable
to the rape accused as to others. The family members and the lawyer
of the accused have alleged that the death of Ram Singh is murder.
The allegation must be nailed by probing the matter much to the
satisfaction of the family members. The deceased is said to have
used his own clothes for hanging in which case the jail authorities
cannot be blamed because the undertrial cannot be left in prison
without clothes or a bed sheet to wrap himself with. Police are
known to use third-degree methods against the undertrials especially
sexual offenders. Should it be the case that the accused has
committed suicide being unable to bear the torture of jail authorities
or murdered as alleged by the family members, the guilty must be
brought to book and punished. Expeditious disposal of cases and
confinement of sexual offenders with other jail inmates in a cell may
possibly avoid recurrence of such incidents provided care is taken
that the other jail inmates do not torture the former.
Seriously? You kidding me? Ram Singh had a dignified life inside jail or not? you or
rest of the world wanted him to have a dignified life inside the jail and have a
"dignified death"? Every human has a right to dignity. yes but not those 6 convicted.
they were not convicted of any normal crime but the most undignified crime that
lead to a death of 23 year old innocent in such a brutal way. We as citizen of the
country wanted him to be hanged in public. depression? media is clicking pics of his
devastated family? What kind of responsibility you all trying to show here? Where is
the happiness of the victim's family? why not show that? Jail reforms yes has to be
done, people with sexual crimes has to have such a treatment for rest of the country
to realize that this is one of those intolerable crime. Please try and have little
sensibility before anyone writes a editorial. we expect responsibility not insensitivity
especially from "THE HINDU".
It is ridiculous to talk about the human dignity to inhumans. Such arguments are only repulsive and hence should be avoided. Their crime was proven beyond doubt, for which they (all six) deserve capital punishment.
When challenged every system in India is found lacking.
If the Indian Penal Code is not acting as an effective deterrent against
crime in the capital, at least the news of multitude of 'mysterious
deaths' and 'suicides' in Tihar jail in the past should have.
Editor's concern is valid. A Press delegation should visit Tihar Jail and suggest improvement measures. Is there anything in India that doesn't need reform? Things would improve if the contents of primary and secondary education in India are improved with changing times.
May be I'm just being emotional and am getting carried away. But an editorial in a news paper like The Hindu arguing for a dignified treatment for such a person in prison seems to be a bit too far fetched. I do agree to the idea behind the editorial. But may be this wasn't the right time for such an article in such a respected newspaper. Thumbs down from me!
Now the stone-throwing brigade will get ready asking the rationale
behind publishing "such" an editorial in The Hindu -- anybody who speaks
about anything called "human" and/or "rights" will be barked upon
without even attempting to understand what is being said. It is
important to support the dignity of thousands of people(possibly
innocent) who are mostly poor under-trials languishing in jails for
years with unproven charges against them by an inefficient Judicial
system.
As was expected, the editor wants the police to treat a heinous murderer
with the same kind of dignity and respect as they would treat an honest
IAS officer. Reasonable desire indeed. I would actually go beyond and
recommend that he be sponsored with a trip to the Alps for a short while
so that he overcomes the unnecessary and unfair stigma he had to face,
for no crime of his.
Please Email the Editor