Bengaluru / Mysuru: The Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services has ordered an inquiry into the recent deaths of three convicts at the Mysuru Central Jail.

The incident occurred on Dec. 26, when the inmates allegedly consumed essence while preparing cakes in the prison bakery unit. The deceased inmates — Nagaraj (36) from Kollegal, Ramesh (28) from Hassan and Madesha (32) from Sathagalli — suffered severe complications after ingesting the chemical.

They were rushed to K.R. Hospital, where they later succumbed. They were reportedly preparing cakes for New Year in jail’s bakery unit. On Dec. 24, they consumed the liquid essence, leading to acute stomach pain.

Following the incident, Superintendent of Central Jail, P.S. Ramesh, stated that the bakery unit, run by inmates, has been shut down as a precautionary measure. The decision to reopen the facility will be taken after the completion of investigations.

It may be recalled here that the Chairman of Karnataka State Human Rights Commission Dr. T. Sham Bhatt, along with Member S.K. Vantigodi, visited Mysuru Prison to inspect the facility following the deaths and had recommended several remedial measures including installation of CCTV cameras.