Mumbai, July 22: Eight new prisoners of Byculla Jail were admitted to state-run JJ hospital after they fell ill and complained of abdominal pain, vomiting, dehydration and indigestion on Sunday. According to a statement by the Hospital, all the patients are stable. The incident comes two days after 81 women inmates were admitted to JJ Hospital. The samples of the drinking water and food provided to the prisoners are being tested.

Officials are suspecting that food poisoning, contaminated water or a medicine reaction could be the reason behind the illness. Reports inform that an anti-viral medicine was administered to all prison inmates and staff yesterday, after which some prisoners had complained of uneasiness.

On June 20, the prime accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, Indrani Mukerjea, who is lodged in the same prison, was not among those admitted to the hospital, jail officials said. The dean of the J J Hospital, Mukund Tayade, said all those admitted complained of vomiting, nausea and loose motions. The sick prisoners also included two 24-week pregnant women and a four-month-old son of one of the admitted inmates.

Reports inform that the Byculla prison, which houses 312 inmates, was in news last year when Manju Shette (45), a convict, died after being allegedly beaten up by jail officials. Six officials were arrested in the case.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 22, 2018 08:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).