Security guard murdered at Sri Ganganagar juvenile home; 3 juveniles detained
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A security guard was fatally attacked inside the Government Observation and Juvenile Home in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, on 6 August, triggering a police investigation that has intensified with forensic teams combing the facility and three detained juveniles under sustained questioning. The victim, Sahabram, a retired Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel, died at the scene after sustaining critical head injuries.
How the Attack Unfolded
According to police, preparations for the Independence Day programme were underway at the facility on Wednesday evening when a cooler reportedly developed a fault. Sahabram stepped away to retrieve tools from another guard posted outside the premises. Investigators allege that three juveniles seized the moment, attacking him from behind with a metal bar taken from a bench and striking him repeatedly on the head. He died from his injuries before medical help could reach him.
The motive behind the attack has not yet been established, police said. CCTV footage is being examined to reconstruct the sequence of events, while teams from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the Mobile Officer Branch (MOB) have collected physical evidence from the crime scene.
Senior Officials Inspect the Scene
District Collector Dr Amit Yadav, Superintendent of Police Harishankar Yadav, Additional District Collector Subhash Kumar, Additional SP Deepak Sharma, City Circle Officer Vishnu Khatri, and Old Abadi SHO Suman Parihar visited the juvenile home shortly after the incident. The officials received a detailed briefing from Rajiv Jakhar, an officer of the Department of Child Rights. The district administration has also sought a comprehensive report on the incident.
Concerns Over Security at the Facility
The attack has raised serious questions about surveillance protocols, staffing levels, and overall security arrangements at the juvenile observation home. Jogendra Kaushik, Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee, noted that the number of juveniles admitted for drug-related offences has been rising steadily. At present, 27 juveniles are housed at the facility, including some transferred from Hanumangarh district. Kaushik said the issue had recently been flagged during an official review meeting.
The Victim and His Family
Sahabram was a resident of Ambe Vihar Colony in Sri Ganganagar. After retiring from the SSB, he had been working as a security guard at the juvenile correction home for a few months. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter. According to family members, his wife has been suffering from a serious kidney ailment and he had been planning to take her outside the district for medical treatment. News of his sudden death drew relatives, friends, and local residents to the hospital and the observation home, where grief and shock prevailed.
Investigation Status
Police are continuing to question the three detained juveniles as the probe progresses. No formal charges have been announced, and the motive remains under investigation. The case is expected to prompt a broader review of security norms across juvenile correction facilities in Rajasthan.