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Rajasthan Court Questions Jail CCTV Blackout During Dacoit's Death

A Rajasthan court has expressed concern over surveillance cameras being offline when notorious Chambal dacoit Jagan Gurjar was killed by a fellow inmate in Ajmer's high-security jail. The timing of the technical failure has raised questions about prison security protocols.

LSN India · 31 August 2026

A judicial inquiry into the death of Chambal dacoit Jagan Gurjar has brought to light a significant security lapse at Ajmer Central Jail, where the accused was being held. The inmate, known for his criminal activities in the Chambal region, was killed inside the high-security facility allegedly by another prisoner. Court officials have noted the troubling coincidence that closed-circuit television cameras covering the area were not operational at the time of the incident.

The malfunction of surveillance equipment during such a critical incident has prompted serious questions about the jail's security management and maintenance protocols. High-security facilities are expected to maintain continuous CCTV coverage to monitor prisoner movements and prevent incidents of violence or escape. The offline status of cameras during the murder raises concerns about whether proper safety measures were in place.

The court's observation of the technical failure is expected to form part of a broader investigation into the circumstances surrounding Gurjar's death. Authorities will likely examine whether the camera blackout was accidental or indicative of systemic lapses in prison infrastructure. The incident has cast a spotlight on security procedures at one of Rajasthan's major correctional institutions and may prompt a review of surveillance systems across the state's jail network.

Jagan Gurjar had been a prominent figure in organized crime activities spanning the Chambal valley. His detention in a high-security facility underscored the authorities' concerns about his dangerousness. The manner of his death and the concurrent surveillance failure have drawn official attention to prisoner safety and institutional oversight.