Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Raisen Jail Guard Shot; Superintendent Suspended Amid Security Probe
A prisoner allegedly shot a jail guard inside a prison in Raisen, Madhya Pradesh.
The shooting happened during Raksha Bandhan celebrations.
Police said the prisoner had a pistol hidden in a basket of fruit.
The guard was shot in the left side of his back and was badly hurt.
He was first taken to a district hospital.
Doctors then sent him to AIIMS Bhopal for more treatment.
Officials caught the prisoner at the scene.
They are investigating how the gun entered the jail, and the acting superintendent was suspended over alleged negligence.
Jail guard Digvijay Singh Tomar was seriously injured after an undertrial prisoner allegedly shot him inside Raisen District Jail on Wednesday morning.
Police said the prisoner, identified in reports as Nilesh Thakur or Nilesh Singh, used a country-made pistol hidden in a fruit basket during Raksha Bandhan celebrations.
The shooting allegedly occurred after Tomar refused to open the jail’s main gate as the prisoner attempted to escape.
Tomar suffered a gunshot wound to the left side of his upper back and was referred from the district hospital to AIIMS Bhopal in critical condition.
Acting jail superintendent R K Choure was suspended for alleged negligence, while officials investigate the weapon’s entry and the role of prison personnel.
- Who
- Undertrial prisoner Nilesh Thakur, also identified in one report as Nilesh Singh, allegedly shot jail guard Digvijay Singh Tomar.
- What
- Tomar was seriously injured in an alleged shooting inside Raisen District Jail; the acting superintendent was later suspended.
- When
- Wednesday morning, around 9 a.m., during Raksha Bandhan celebrations.
- Where
- Raisen District Jail in Raisen, Madhya Pradesh; Tomar was later referred to AIIMS Bhopal.
- Why
- Police said the prisoner allegedly fired after Tomar refused to open the main gate during an attempted escape; authorities are investigating the weapon’s entry and possible security failures.
Security Failure Concerns
Authorities’ Preliminary Accounts
How the pistol entered the jail
Security Failure Concerns
The shooting raised serious concerns about security arrangements because an undertrial prisoner allegedly possessed a firearm inside the jail.
Authorities’ Preliminary Accounts
Officials are investigating whether the pistol was hidden in fruit or sweet baskets brought in for Raksha Bandhan, or entered through another route.
Responsibility for the lapse
Security Failure Concerns
The suspension of acting superintendent R K Choure reflects authorities’ finding of alleged negligence and raises questions about prison staff and security checks.
Authorities’ Preliminary Accounts
Officials said the role of guards and other people will be determined through the investigation; the prisoner reportedly claimed during initial questioning that someone outside threw the pistol into the jail.
Prisoner’s identity and charges
Security Failure Concerns
Reports differ on whether the prisoner’s name is Nilesh Thakur or Nilesh Singh, and whether the relevant description is attempted-murder or murder charges.
Authorities’ Preliminary Accounts
Police reports say he had a criminal history and cases under Sections 307 and 302 had been registered against him, while another report described him as incarcerated on attempted-murder charges.
- Injured guard
- Digvijay Singh Tomar
- Alleged shooter
- Nilesh Thakur; one PTI report identifies him as Nilesh Singh
- Weapon
- Country-made pistol, allegedly concealed in a basket of fruits
- Injury
- Gunshot wound to the left side of the upper back; an X-ray reportedly showed the bullet near the lower part of the lung
- Medical treatment
- First aid was given at the district hospital before referral to AIIMS Bhopal
- Administrative action
- Acting jail superintendent R K Choure was suspended for alleged serious negligence and posted at jail headquarters during the suspension
- Investigation
- Inspector General of Police (Prisons) Sanjay Pandey was assigned the inquiry into the weapon’s entry and the role of prison staff
