The Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission has sought reply from the director general (Jail administration and reform service) and the jail superintendent Balaghat over an attempt to suicide by a undertrial prisoner.

The undertrial prisoner reportedly accused the jail superintendent of harassing him mentally and physically was reason for taking the extreme step.

MPHRC chairman Justice Narendra Kumar Jain took cognizance into the matter and sought reply from the jail authorities within a month.

The incident occurred in the District Jail Balaghat on April 11 last where undertrial prisoner Jitendra Thakre attempted to suicide by putting multiple cuts on his body. The prisoner got injured and was admitted in the district hospital Balaghat.

The prisoner Jitendra is a teacher by profession was facing financial trouble and to get Rs. 20 lakh of insured amount for his family, he allegedly burnt to death a person to give impression of himself (Jitendra) had committed suicide.

Jitendra is lodged in the district jail since May 28, 2019. The statements of the undertrial prisoner was recorded by the authorities.