Chennai Central Prison

Chennai Central Prison
Madras Central Prison
A section of the Madras Central Prison before demolition in 2009
Location Madras, India
Status Demolished
Opened 1837
Closed 2009

Madras Central Prison was one of the oldest prisons in India. It was located in Chennai (formerly Madras) in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It began operational during the British rule in India in 1837. Prisoners from the prison were moved to the newly constructed Puzhal Central Prison starting from 2006.[1] The prison was 172 years old when it began to be demolished in June 2009.

Contents

History

Madras Central Prison was one of the oldest prisons in India. It was started during British rule in 1837. It was initially called the Madras penitentiary until 1855 when it was renamed to Central Jail.[2] It was originally built to house transit convicts who were to face the ‘sazaye kaala paani’ in Cellular Jail in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and constructed at the cost of Rs 16,496 on 11 acres (45,000 m2) of land.[3]

Notable prisoners

Abandoned corridors of the Madras Central Prison pictured in 2009

The prison housed Subhash Chandra Bose and Veer Savarkar during the days of independence movement. C. N. Annadurai, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and leader of Dravidian Movement was housed here for his Anti Hindi agitations.[4] The prison also housed former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi and chief minister of Tamil Nadu J. Jayalalitha.[5]

1999 riots

The inmates in the prison went on a rampage against the officials following the death of an inmate named Vadivelu. They set fire to a room where the assistant warder had taken refuge. Riot police were called in to contain the riots. The police initially used tear gas to quell the rioters, before resorting to live ammunition. In the battle which ensued between the inmates and the riot police, 10 people including a prison official were killed and more than 100 people injured.[6]

Relocation

The prisoners from the prison were moved to Puzhal Central Prison in Puzhal in 2006 and the vacant property was handed over to Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) for revenue augmentation purpose in 2008. The cost of the 13-acre (53,000 m2) land was estimated conservatively at Rs. 475 crore (Rs. 4,750,000,000).[7] Demolition of the buildings began on 14 June 2009.[8]

References

  1. ^ "150-yr-old Central prison closed for good". Times of India. 2009-01-19. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/150-yr-old_Central_prison_closed_for_good/articleshow/4003254.cms. Retrieved 2009-06-26. 
  2. ^ "Prison building demolition proposal forwarded to government". The Hindu. 2009-01-20. http://www.hindu.com/2009/01/20/stories/2009012059220400.htm. Retrieved 2009-06-26. 
  3. ^ "Chennai set to lose a slice of its history". Express Buzz. 2009-06-20. http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?title=Chennai%20set%20to%20lose%20a%20slice%20of%20its%20history&artid=k4TwrJGSpIU=&type=. Retrieved 2009-06-26. 
  4. ^ "After 172 years, Madras Central Prison sent to the gallows". Indian Express. 2009-02-18. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/after-172-years-madras-central-prison-sent/424858/. Retrieved 2009-06-26. 
  5. ^ "Central prison to become history". Deccan Chronicle. 2009-01-20. http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chennai/central-prison-become-history-964. Retrieved 2009-06-26. 
  6. ^ "Inquiry into Madras prison riot". BBC News (BBC). 1999-11-18. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/526394.stm. Retrieved 2009-06-26. 
  7. ^ "Chennai Metro Rail Ltd to develop prison land near Park Station". The Hindu. 2008-02-28. http://www.hinduonnet.com/2008/02/28/stories/2008022850350300.htm. Retrieved 2009-06-26. 
  8. ^ "Demolition of Central Jail begins". Dina Mani. 2009-06-17. http://www.dinamani.com/edition/story.aspx?SectionName=Chennai&artid=75065&SectionID=97&MainSectionID=97&SEO=&Title=. Retrieved 2009-06-26. 



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