Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 20: Shabbir (34), a Muslim convict under trial in Tihar jail, has claimed that he was beaten and branded with an Om symbol by officials inside the jail premises. He has been in Tihar jail since November 2017.
As reported in India Today, the man's family approached Karkardooma court with a complaint that their 'son's life was in danger in the jail'. Magistrate Richa Parihar has confirmed that the ‘Om’ symbol had been engraved on Shabbir’s back when he was brought before her.
As per the report, Shabbir filed a complaint on April 12 with the superintendent of jail no 4 - Rajesh Chauhan that the induction stove in his barracks was not working properly. Furious by the complaint, the jail official summoned Shabbir into his office and slated and branded the Om on his back with a heated metal symbol for 'trying to be a neta' and raising complaints.
It is reported that the jail officials also abused him for his religion saying that 'you Muslims have destroyed our country'. The case was heard by the court on April 17 when Shabbir was already scheduled to be brought to court for a hearing in an ongoing trial against him.
After confirming the Om symbol on his back the judge ordered a medical examination and he was ‘immediately removed from the direct or indirect supervision of jail superintendent Rajesh Chauhan’.
It is reported that the jail authorities have not appeared before court for hearing on April 18 and that they also refused to send the medical examination and enquiry reports to the court.
The judge will hear the matter on Monday (April 22).
However, the Tihar authorities has denied the incident and said that there is no possibility that any such incident has happened and that they are conducting an enquiry.
A press statement issued by DG Tihar Ajay Kashyap mentioned, “Enquiry is being conducted by DIG. The undertrial (Shabbir) has been shifted to a different jail as advised by the court. Detailed report to the court will be submitted once enquiry is over.”