Ludhiana: Undertrial prisoner dies under suspicious circumstances in Central Jail

July 11, 2026

Ludhiana Central Jail has once again become the center of controversy. Arshdeep Singh (19), an undertrial prisoner, died under suspicious circumstances. The deceased’s mother has leveled serious allegations against the jail administration, claiming that her son’s death was not due to illness but resulted from the negligence and apathy of jail officials.

Arshdeep, the son of Sarabjit Kaur—a resident of Sular Gharat (Jhungopatti) in Patiala—was lodged in Ludhiana Central Jail. A case (FIR No. 61) had been registered against him at the Dakha Police Station on March 22, 2026. The case was filed under Sections 137(2) and 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 6 of the POCSO Act. He was held in Ludhiana Central Jail under judicial custody in connection with this case.

Died in Hospital; Mother Raises Questions

In her statement to the police, the deceased’s mother, Sarabjit Kaur, stated that Arshdeep’s health suddenly deteriorated while in jail on July 3, 2026. As his condition became critical, the jail administration admitted him to the emergency ward of the Civil Hospital in Ludhiana, where he passed away during treatment that same day. Subsequently, on July 4, a post-mortem examination of Arshdeep’s body was conducted under the supervision of the local magistrate/judge. Following the post-mortem, the body was handed over to the family for the last rites.

“I am certain the jail authorities let my son die”

Overcome with grief upon seeing the body of her young son, Sarabjit Kaur is inconsolable. In her statement to the police, she alleged that her son’s death was caused by the jail administration’s apathy, negligence, and failure to provide timely medical treatment. The family maintains that had Arshdeep received timely and adequate medical care within the jail, his life might have been saved. Police Register FIR; Investigation to Follow

Following these allegations, FIR No. 173 has been registered against an unknown person at the Division No. 7 police station in Ludhiana. The case has been registered under Sections 106(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The police have initiated an investigation, and the case has been entrusted to Sub-Inspector (SI) Dinesh Kumar. The investigation will determine whether any negligence on the part of the jail administration comes to light.