Judicial inquiry was ordered into the death of 42-year-old Brij Pal Malik, Superintendent of district jail, Sevaram Choudhry said.
Malik died of brain hemorrhage on Thursday. He was taken to a district hospital where he was declared dead.
He was in depression and banged his head against the wall in the jail during which he suffered injuries, Choudhary added.
Malik was initially admitted to the jail hospital, he said.
Meanwhile, irate family members and locals blocked the Meerut-Karnal Highway near Hasanpur village last night demanding strict action against jail authorities for not providing proper medical treatment to the deceased.
Malik was sent to jail on January 30 for his alleged involvement in the riots that left more than 60 people dead and rendered many homeless.