As many as 81 inmates of the Byculla women’s jail were admitted to the State-run JJ Hospital in south Mumbai on Friday, after they took ill for what was suspected as food poisoning.
The jail inmates suspected of vomiting, dehydration and pain in the abdomen, ater they ate breakfast.
Among those hospitalised were a four-month old infant and a pregnant woman. “The condition of all the hospitalised jail inmates is stable,” Dr Wiqar Shaikh said.
“Several women prisoners complained of vomiting and dehydration. The in-house doctors examined at 300 inmates. Severely affected ones were referred to the hospital where they are now under observation. There were no complaints from male prisoners or jail staff,” Inspector-General of Police (Prisons) Rajvardhan Sinha said.
Sinha said till afternoon around 81 women inmates, mostly under-trials including one pregnant woman, and an infant, were admitted to the hospital.
Sinha said that a male prisoner was diagnosed with cholera three days ago and was treated, while all other prisoners were given prophylactics by health authorities
The hospitalised women are among nearly 385 inmates including a few foreigners.
The possible cause of suspected food poisoning is being investigated. The preliminary indications that women jail inmates might have taken ill due to contaminated water.
Incidentally, the jail’s most high-profile under-trial prisoner, former media baron and key accused in the Sheena Bora murder case Indrani Mukerjea, was not among those affected.