Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, November 28, 2025 — A 50-year-old inmate allegedly committed suicide inside the Lakhimpur Kheri district jail early Friday morning, prompting an investigation into jail procedures and police conduct. The deceased has been identified as Suresh Verma, a resident of Madhaupurwa village under Dhaurahra police station jurisdiction.

According to District Jail Superintendent PD Saloniya, Verma had been brought to the jail on Thursday evening following his arrest for alleged involvement in a recent murder case. Verma’s body was discovered hanging from an iron angle in the toilet of the barrack early on Friday, the superintendent said.

“Verma had gone to the toilet under the supervision of barrack keepers. When he did not return for a long period, the barrack staff informed the jail authorities, who subsequently recovered the body,” Saloniya stated. The official confirmed that a post-mortem has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death, and a formal inquiry into the incident has been initiated. He added that appropriate action would be taken if any lapses or negligence on the part of the jail administration were found.

Verma’s family has accused the police of falsely implicating him in the murder case. The allegations have intensified scrutiny of the police and jail authorities. BJP MLA from Dhaurahra, Vinod Shankar Awasthi, visited the grieving family and urged them to cooperate with the legal process while assuring them that action would be taken if their complaints against the police were verified.

Responding swiftly to the allegations, Superintendent of Police Sankalp Sharma suspended the Station House Officer (SHO) of Dhaurahra and three other police officers. He also ordered a thorough investigation led by Circle Officer Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh, to probe the circumstances of both the arrest and the inmate’s subsequent death. “Further action will be taken based on the findings of the probe,” the SP stated.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding jail oversight and the accountability of law enforcement officers in Uttar Pradesh. Verma had been arrested the previous evening, and the rapid sequence of events leading to his death has raised questions about procedural safeguards and monitoring of newly admitted inmates, particularly those in custody for serious allegations.

Authorities have reiterated that the investigation will cover all aspects, including whether proper checks were in place in the barrack and whether the jail staff followed mandated supervision protocols. Meanwhile, Verma’s family continues to press for a transparent inquiry into both the murder allegation and the circumstances surrounding his death.

The case has attracted attention locally, as officials balance the urgency of investigating an alleged murder with the need to ensure that custodial rights and safety are upheld. The suspension of police personnel signals a strong administrative response amid public scrutiny and family allegations, while the post-mortem and ensuing probe aim to determine whether Verma’s death was indeed suicide or involved other factors.