Dacoit Jagan Gurjar cremated in Dholpur under heavy police guard after Ajmer jail murder
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Dacoit Jagan Gurjar, who was allegedly murdered inside Ajmer High-Security Jail on 29 June, was cremated at his native village of Bhavutipura in Dholpur's Dang region on Wednesday amid unprecedented security arrangements. His son, Asaram, lit the funeral pyre, while Jagan's three incarcerated brothers were brought under armed escort to attend the last rites before being returned to prison.
Security Arrangements at the Cremation
Nearly 100 police personnel were deployed across Bhavutipura, effectively converting the village into a security fortress. Officers from nine police stations — Sone Ka Gurja, Bari Sadar, Bari Kotwali, Basai Dang, Kanchanpur, Nihalganj, Dholpur Sadar, Rajakheda, and Mania — were positioned throughout the area. Additional SP Shravan Kumar and Circle Officer Mahendra Kumar personally oversaw the security operation.
Jagan's body arrived at Bhavutipura at approximately 7:30 am. His three brothers — Pan Singh, Lal Singh, and Pappu Singh — were transported separately by teams from the Ajmer Police, Dholpur STF, and Dholpur Police under tight Special Task Force (STF) security. After a brief final viewing at the cremation ground, all three were immediately escorted back to jail.
How Jagan Gurjar Was Allegedly Killed
According to his family, a fellow inmate named Vishnu — an accused in the Kuldeep Jaghina murder case from Bharatpur — strangled Jagan with a towel inside their shared barrack on 29 June. The two hardcore inmates had reportedly been lodged together inside the high-security facility.
Investigators found toothpaste smeared on a CCTV camera inside the barrack, allegedly to obstruct recording. A gamchha (towel) was also found hanging from a fan, which investigators believe was intended to portray the killing as a suicide. Jail Superintendent Paras Jangid stated that CCTV footage outside the barrack showed Jagan and Vishnu interacting normally before the incident.
Family Protest and Post-Mortem Dispute
Following Jagan's death, his family staged a protest alleging negligence by the jail administration. After negotiations with officials on Tuesday, the family agreed to allow a post-mortem, which was conducted in Ajmer before the body was released. Jagan's son Asaram also accused the SHO of Bari police station of falsely implicating him in a criminal case, adding a layer of grievance beyond the jail killing itself.
Political Reaction and Magisterial Enquiry
Former Bari Pradhan Puran Singh described the incident as a 'complete failure of the jail administration' and demanded an impartial enquiry along with strict action against those responsible. A magisterial enquiry has since been initiated to probe the circumstances of the killing and any lapses in prison security. The case has raised serious questions about inmate safety protocols inside Ajmer High-Security Jail, particularly the practice of housing rival hardcore criminals in the same barrack.