CHANDIGARH, May 24, 2026 : Three inmates were injured after a late-night ruckus erupted inside the Kapurthala jail following a clash among prisoners, prompting authorities to use tear gas shells and cane charge to bring the situation under control, officials said on Sunday.
According to police, two inmates sustained injuries during the cane charge, while another inmate was hit by a tear gas shell during the operation to restore order inside the prison premises.
Officials said the incident occurred late Saturday night when inmates lodged in Block 4 allegedly clashed over an issue that is still under investigation.
A senior police officer said jail authorities initially attempted to intervene and stop the fighting, but some inmates allegedly turned aggressive and tried to scuffle with officials.
During the unrest, several inmates reportedly came out of their barracks and reached the rooftop of the jail building, while a few allegedly set clothes on fire, escalating tensions inside the prison.
Following the disturbance, heavy police deployment was rushed to the jail to prevent further escalation.
“Police used tear gas shells and resorted to cane charge to control the situation,” an official said.
Police clarified that no jail official or security personnel sustained injuries during the incident.
Authorities further stated that all inmates have since returned to their barracks and a complete headcount was conducted successfully.
“The situation is completely under control,” said Naveen Singla.
Singla also maintained that there was no damage to jail property.
“I have checked the jail property,” he said.
Senior officers including Gaurav Toora and other police officials rushed to the prison after receiving information about the disturbance.
Meanwhile, purported videos from inside the jail showing scenes of chaos and commotion surfaced on social media. In some clips, inmates could allegedly be heard accusing jail authorities of using force, while one inmate was seen displaying injuries.
Officials said the Kapurthala jail currently houses nearly 4,000 inmates.
Reacting to the incident, Bikram Singh Majithia criticized the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab.
“Punjab’s jails are no longer correction centres. Under Bhagwant Mann’s government, they have turned into battlegrounds for criminals,” Majithia said.
