Sex-racketeer Sonu Punjaban attempts suicide in Tihar Jail

Imprisoned Geeta Arora alias Sonu Punjaban, arrested last year for allegedly running interstate prostitution racket worth several crore rupees, allegedly attempted suicide by consuming sleeping pills at high-security Tihar Jail on Monday.

The 25-year-old was rushed to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, and brought back to the jail after treatment on Tuesday. Sources said  she also tried to hang herself from a ventilator by using her stole around 9.30 pm, but was spotted by Tihar Jail security personnel and taken to hospital.

“Though she was safe and sound, she was taken to the hospital as per procedure. Hospital authorities intimated the local police about the incident around midnight,” an official said.

After being admitted, sources claimed, Sonu told doctors that she had not tried to hang herself, but had consumed several sleeping pills after forced intra-prison relocation aggravated her ‘depression and mental agony’.

Her medical examination, however, did not reveal any medicinal residue in her stomach or injury marks on her neck.

According to doctors, Sonu was found to be ‘perfectly oriented’ and far from any sleeping-pill induced stupor.

“As per procedure, the inmate was kept under medical observation till Tuesday evening. A case of attempt to suicide will be lodged against her at Hari Nagar police station soon,” said Sunil Gupta, Tihar Jail spokesperson.

Sources further said a mobile phone was also recovered from her on Monday morning – an offence in direct violation of prison rules.

“It was taken away by officials,” another official said.
According to sources, Special Cell of Delhi Police has been directed to investigate the case and Sonu’s call detail record is being consolidated to ascertain whom she was using the recovered mobile phone to communicate with.

The official further said Sonu was earlier kept in jail number six, but she has been shifted to another ward after the incident.

Sonu was arrested on south Delhi’s IGNOU Road in April 2011 when she came there to strike a deal for Rs 45,000. It was Sonu’s third arrest for running prostitution rackets.
She was with four other women, all allegedly recruited by her. Police said she had taken a room on rent in Saidulajab area for the racket.

Sonu is the wife of slain gangster Hemant, who was killed in a shoot out in April 2006.
Earlier, she was married to Vijay and Deepak, Hemant’s elder brothers, who were also killed in different shoot outs.