New Delhi, Apr 5 (IANS): Vinay Sharma, an accused in the Dec 16 gang-rape case, Friday arrived in court with a fractured hand and his counsel said Tihar Jail inmates and police beat him up as he wanted to appear for an Indian Air Force (IAF) recruitment exam.

Sharma's counsel told the court that "Tihar Jail inmates and police beat up Sharma and broke his right hand so that he could not give his exam".

Sharma was to appear April 7 for an IAF exam for vacancies of clerks.

His counsel A.P. Singh told the court that the inmates had said to Sharma: "You want to give the exam? You will write the exam with your right hand. We will break your hand."

Singh requested the court to summon Tihar Jail's superintendent to explain the incident.

He also sought a transfer of the trial and asked that the accused be kept away from Delhi Police.

Special Public Prosecutor Dayan Krishnan also requested the court to summon the jail's superintendent in court Friday. "It troubles me greatly. It is my duty to ensure a fair trial. I am also disturbed (with the incident)," Krishnan added.