The fourth day of the Chhattisgarh Assembly's budget session descended into chaos on Thursday as opposition Congress legislators stormed out of the House after raising the sensitive issue of custodial deaths in the state. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel led the charge, demanding a thorough investigation into the deaths of 66 prisoners and alleging a cover-up by the state government.
66 Custodial Deaths in One Year: Government Admits
During the Question Hour, Baghel raised the issue of inmates who died in various jails across the state, prompting a response from Home Minister Vijay Sharma. Sharma provided official data stating that between January 2025 and January 31, 2026, a total of 66 prisoners had died in custody.
However, the statistics did little to pacify the opposition. Bhupesh Baghel immediately sought a name-wise list of the deceased, specifically demanding details about the death of tribal leader Jeevan Thakur.
Responding to this, Home Minister Vijay Sharma confirmed that Jeevan Thakur's name was on the list, attributing his death to illness despite medical treatment. He assured the House that all necessary inquiries were being conducted as per established procedures.
'Tribal Leader Was Killed Inch by Inch': Bhupesh Baghel
Dissatisfied with the government's response, the former Chief Minister escalated his attack. Bhupesh Baghel rejected the possibility of a simple magistrate's inquiry and demanded a probe by a dedicated House committee of the Assembly.
In a dramatic statement that intensified the confrontation between Bhupesh Baghel VS Vijay Sharma, Baghel labeled Jeevan Thakur's death as "state-sponsored murder."
"A tribal leader was killed inch by inch. This is a highly sensitive matter, and the government is trying to suppress it," Baghel charged from the opposition benches. His remarks drew sharp counter-arguments from the treasury benches, leading to heated exchanges.
Navya Malik's Name Echoes in Drug Case Discussion
Amid the heated debate over custodial deaths, the name of alleged drug peddler Navya Malik also surfaced in the Assembly. Bhupesh Baghel questioned why her name was missing from the government's list of 282 drug-related cases. He sought information about her alleged foreign connections, putting the government on the defensive regarding its crackdown on narcotics.
Home Minister Vijay Sharma clarified that out of the 282 cases, charge sheets had been filed in 206, and 662 accused individuals had been arrested. On the specific Navya Malik drug case, he stated that complete details would be provided once all information was compiled, assuring the House that no lapses would be tolerated.
Opposition Walks Out
The session witnessed continued sloganeering from Congress MLAs, including Savitri Manndavi, who raised questions about arrest procedures and jail transfers. Unconvinced by the government's assurances and alleging a breakdown of law and order, the entire opposition staged a walkout.
The dramatic events have once again spotlighted the critical issue of custodial deaths in Chhattisgarh, raising serious questions about prison conditions and police accountability in the state.
