Barkly’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) has launched an investigation into the death of inmate Sameer Jugurnauth on the evening of Monday March 4, who was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Rose-Belle’s Jawaharlall Nehru Hospital. The 49-year-old inmate from Le Hochet, Terre-Rouge, had been found unconscious in his cell in the New Wing of the Beau Bassin Central Prison on Sunday morning, March 3. He had a lump on the right side of his head and a swelling in his right ear. Four of his cellmates were placed in solitary confinement. They claim not to have assaulted the victim. The autopsy performed on Sameer Jugurnauth’s body attributed his death to intracranial haemorrhage.
Sameer Jugurnauth was found unconscious at 6.50 a.m. on Sunday morning, March 3, by a 22-year-old prison guard who was on duty at New Wing Prison’s A block to open the inmates’ cells. He was counting and checking inmates. In cell N0 3, he found Sameer Jugurnauth lying naked on a mattress. He immediately alerted his superior, an assistant superintendent of prisons. Entering the cell, they saw the inmate shaking and unconscious. He had a lump on the right side of his head and a swelling in his right ear.
The prison doctor, who was called in, examined the inmate before referring his case to Rose-Belle hospital, where he was taken. His state of health was judged to be critical. Four other inmates who shared his cell were placed in isolation. They deny the charge of assaulting Sameer Jugurnauth. The cell was placed under seal for the purposes of the investigation.
During the day on Sunday March 3, forensic technicians were in the cell to collect clues that could help move the investigation forward.
Sameer Jugurnauth had been arrested by the Terre-Rouge CID in connection with a theft case. Two other suspects who were in his company on the day of his arrest managed to escape into a wood in Riche-Terre. Some of the stolen goods were recovered.
