Lahore, March 26
Four injuries, including a fracture, were found on the body of Chambail Singh, an Indian prisoner who died in Lahore Kot Lakhpat Jail after he was allegedly assaulted by staff, according a preliminary autopsy report.

A medical board constituted about two months after Chambail’s death performed the autopsy shortly before the body was sent to India on March 13. Traces of four injuries were found on the body, including a fracture of the right knee, an abrasion of 1.5 cm to 2 cm on the left knee joint, an abrasion over the upper lip and scars on the thigh, official sources said. A chemical examination to ascertain the exact cause of death will be conducted later.

Chambail, said to be in his sixties, was declared dead on arrival by doctors at the state-run Jinnah Hospital on January 15. He was arrested near the border at Sialkot in 2010 for alleged involvement in espionage. He was brought to the jail last June and was to complete his term in 2015.

Tehseen Khan, a Christian lawyer who recently completed a 42-month sentence for fraud at the same jail, claimed Chambail died after being beaten up by prison staff. "On January 15, I saw three jail staff beating up Chambail Singh severely over some issue. I think he died because of this," Khan had said. Prison officials refuted his claim and said Chambail died of an apparent heart attack.

Jail additional superintendent Ishtiaq Ahmed said Chambail was taken to hospital after he developed chest pain while having breakfast where doctors pronounced him dead.

Awais Shiekh, the counsel for Indian death row prisoner Sarbajit Singh, told PTI that he would file a petition in court against the jail officials after getting a copy of the preliminary autopsy report. Sheikh had earlier approached the Lahore High Court for an inquiry into Singh's death but his plea was turned down.

A total of 33 Indian prisoners are currently being held in Kot Lakhpat Jail. — PTI