Bhubaneswar, June 24: Seven undertrial prisoners lodged in Jharpada Special Jail here were taken ill under suspicious circumstances on Tuesday and admitted to Capital Hospital and AIIMS Bhubaneswar for treatment.

According to sources, the inmates had consumed snacks and other food items from the jail canteen in the afternoon. Soon after, their health reportedly deteriorated, with some prisoners allegedly frothing at the mouth, triggering panic among jail staff.

The inmates were first treated at the jail hospital, but their condition did not improve. Around 5 pm, five prisoners — Sajid Khan, Simanchal Kunj, Bikash Paithal, Babula Pradhan and Rupu Singh — were shifted to Capital Hospital by ambulance. Three were admitted to the ICU, while two were later referred to AIIMS due to a shortage of ICU beds. Hospital sources said one prisoner remains in critical condition.

Rupu Singh is a hardcore Maoist arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the railway blast case near Bimalgarh on the Odisha-Jharkhand border last year. In view of his presence, security at Capital Hospital has been significantly tightened.

Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena and other senior police officials visited the hospital on Tuesday night. Around five platoons of police personnel have been deployed, with additional security around the ICU and at hospital entry points.

Officials said the exact cause of the illness is yet to be established. While food contamination has not been ruled out, investigators are also examining whether the inmates consumed food or intoxicating substances brought into the jail from outside through unauthorized means.

A police team is expected to visit Jharpada Jail on Wednesday to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident.