A Muslim inmate of Tihar jail has accused a prison superintendent of branding him with the symbol “Om” on his back and denying him food for two days.
A Delhi magistrate’s court on Wednesday issued a notice to Tihar director-general of police Ajay Kashyap seeking an inquiry report.
It directed that the complainant, Shabbir, be “removed from the direct or indirect supervision” of Rajesh Chauhan, superintendent of Jail No. 4.
“The accused has been subjected to cruelty and inhuman treatment in jail by jail superintendent Rajesh Chauhan. It is alleged that on 12.04.2019, the jail superintendent had burn-imprinted (the) symbol ‘Om’ on the back of the accused and has also deprived him (of) food for two days,” the court said.
“Necessary CCTV footage be collected and statement of other inmates be also taken in this regard…. It is further directed that necessary arrangements be made to ensure the safety of the accused in jail and he be immediately removed from the direct or indirect supervision of jail superintendent Rajesh Chauhan.”
Shabbir, who faces trial in an arms case, had narrated the alleged incident to a family member who informed his lawyer.
The lawyer filed the application after meeting Shabbir in the jail on April 16.
Kashyap said a deputy inspector-general was conducting the inquiry. “The inmate has been shifted to another jail (inside Tihar), as advised by the court,” he said.
“The allegations… are of serious nature and required immediate intervention,” the court said, asking the prison authorities to get Shabbir medically examined “with immediate effect”.