Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday informed the Odisha Assembly that as of August 31, 2025, a total of 18,685 prisoners were incarcerated across the state’s jails. This includes 4,234 convicted prisoners and 14,451 undertrial prisoners.
Replying to a question raised by BJP MLA from Chhendipada, the Chief Minister said that 35 undertrial prisoners have died in different jails of the state over the past one year.
He clarified that in all such cases, inquiries are conducted by the concerned Judicial Magistrates, and reports are submitted to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Lawful compensation is provided to the families of the deceased prisoners as per NHRC directions. However, in the past year, the state has not received any specific directions from the NHRC regarding compensation in these deaths.
On specific cases, Majhi informed that in the current year, two undertrial prisoners died in Ranibania Model Jail at Khuntuni. While no complaints have been received against anyone in connection with these deaths, judicial inquiries are underway. He added that the state government will take necessary action once NHRC directions, if any, are issued based on the inquiry reports.
