Jagan Gurjar jail death: Autopsy confirms strangulation, hyoid bone fracture
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The autopsy report of notorious dacoit Jagan Gurjar, killed inside Ajmer High-Security Jail on 29 June, has confirmed that he died of strangulation — specifically, a fracture of the hyoid bone caused by severe pressure applied to his neck and throat. The findings, released on 1 July, were produced by a six-member medical board that conducted the post-mortem in Ajmer.
What the Autopsy Found
The preliminary post-mortem report documented internal haemorrhage in the middle portion of the neck, along with significant injuries around the trachea (windpipe) and oesophagus (food pipe). According to initial findings, Gurjar succumbed to asphyxia within approximately three minutes of the assault — a detail that underscores the speed and force of the attack.
The six-member board's conclusion — neck fracture and strangulation as cause of death — leaves little ambiguity about the nature of the killing.
How the Murder Unfolded
According to the family, a co-prisoner identified as Vishnu, an accused in the Kuldeep Jaghina murder case from Bharatpur, allegedly strangled Gurjar using his own towel. Both men, classified as hardcore prisoners, were housed in the same barrack at the time of the incident. The murder is currently under investigation by authorities.
Notably, the CCTV camera in the cell where the attack occurred was found to be non-functional at the time — a fact that has drawn sharp scrutiny of the prison's surveillance infrastructure and oversight protocols.
Family Protests and Last Rites
Gurjar's family had been staging protests and demanding justice following his death. After an agreement was reached between the family and the district administration, the post-mortem was conducted in Ajmer on Tuesday. The body was subsequently transported to his native Bhavutipura village in Dholpur's Dang region for the funeral.
The mortal remains arrived at the village at around 7:30 am, with villagers and supporters having begun gathering from 6:00 am onwards. Gurjar's younger brother, Pappu Gurjar, was escorted under tight security from Ajmer to Dholpur at around 1:00 am to attend the last rites.
Serious Questions Over Jail Security
The killing of a hardened criminal by a fellow inmate inside one of Rajasthan's most secure prisons has exposed what critics describe as significant lapses in the prison security system. The non-functional CCTV camera in the relevant cell has amplified concerns about surveillance gaps and administrative accountability.
This is not the first time that a high-security Indian prison has faced scrutiny following an in-custody death — but the combination of a classified hardcore prisoner being killed, a dysfunctional camera, and two dangerous inmates sharing a barrack has made this case particularly damaging for the jail administration. An investigation is ongoing, and further findings are expected in the coming days.