Jodhpur jailor murdered by inmate

The jailor of Jodhpur Jail in Rajasthan was allegedly murdered by a life convict inside the jail on Saturday.

Bharat Bhushan Bhatt (55) died within minutes after the attack by Narender alias Brahm.

Narender reportedly used a knife to inflict an injury on the neck of Mr. Bhatt, who was overseeing the inmates' return to their cells for the night. The motive was not known immediately.

Director-General (Jails) Omendra Bhardwaj, who confirmed the incident, said the attack took place around 6.30 p.m. Mr. Bhatt was taken to the Mahatma Gandhi Hospital but died around 7.30 p.m.

Acted in films

The jailor has acted in more than half-a-dozen Hindi films, including

Teri Mehrbaniyan and

Aaj Ka Arjun . Another film is yet to be released.

There are certain technicalities to be followed in the “arrest” of the culprit, as he is already serving the life term for murder. Mr. Bhatt, who hailed from Kishengarh town in Ajmer district, was reportedly seeking early retirement. He is survived by his mother, wife and a daughter.

Inquiry demanded

Hyderabad Special Correspondent writes:

Condemning the killing, president of The All-India Prison Officers' Association K.V. Reddy demanded an impartial inquiry into the incident, which he said “spoke of the law and order situation” in Rajasthan.

Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Reddy recalled that there was an attack on jail authorities 10 months ago by prisoners in the Central Prison of Jaipur, but the government had not initiated any measures to protect the authorities. On the contrary, some jail staff members were suspended or transferred.

In 1997 as well, a jailor was killed by prisoners in Rajasthan, he added.