Web Desk: A dispute over sleeping space at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi reportedly escalated into violence after two newly admitted undertrial prisoners were allegedly assaulted by a group of inmates, according to information provided about the incident.
The clash reportedly occurred during the latter part of the night when the newcomers were denied access to designated sleeping spaces, known locally as khaddis. The incident was serious enough to trigger a prison alarm, according to the account.
The allegations also raise questions about the distribution of sleeping space and claims that some inmates collect money from prisoners and their families in exchange for better facilities inside the jail.
Members of a group led by an inmate identified as Ashraf Baba allegedly forced the two newcomers to leave their allotted sleeping spaces and lie on the floor in a passage inside the barrack.
Tensions reportedly escalated when the newcomers could not find enough room even on the floor, triggering an argument over where they could sleep.
Ashraf Baba and three other inmates allegedly began assaulting the two undertrial prisoners during the dispute. The violence prompted prison authorities to sound an alarm during the early morning hours, the account said.
Ashraf Baba’s group controls access to sleeping spaces inside the jail and demands payments in exchange for assigning places to newly admitted prisoners.
Ashraf Baba allegedly collects money and is accused of passing it on to prison officials. However, no independent evidence was provided to establish whether jail personnel received any payments or were involved in the alleged arrangement.
According to the allegations, the group also communicates payment demands to the families of newly admitted prisoners. Once relatives provide the requested money, inmates are allegedly assigned sleeping spaces inside the barracks.
Prisoners whose families pay larger amounts receive better food and access to additional facilities.
The allegations also suggest that Ashraf Baba searches newly admitted prisoners and takes away slips used to record or manage money intended for their personal expenses inside the jail.
If substantiated, the claims could raise concerns about inmate safety, the allocation of basic facilities and the possibility of prisoners being exploited by other inmates.
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