New Delhi | A Muslim inmate in Tihar jail, who is currently undergoing trial, has accused prison officials of forcefully branding an ‘Om’ symbol on his back.
It started on April 12, when Nabbir, the inmate complained to the authorities about a malfunctioning induction stove in his barricade.
Enraged by this action and calling him a ‘neta trying to fix problems’, they beat him and reportedly engraved an ‘Om’ symbol on his back.
They also allegedly forced him to fast for two days, trying to turn him into a ‘Hindu’.
Nabbir retold this information to his family, who talked to the advocate.
The matter came to light when Nabbir was produced before the Karkardooma Court as his judicial custody was ending today.
Nabbir took off his shirt and showed the magistrate, and accused the Tihar Jail authorities of thrashing him and also making this symbol with hot metal and forcing him to fast.
The court ordered Tihar jail authorities to look into the matter.
A medical enquiry was also ordered and should be removed from the direct or indirect supervision of superintendent Rajesh Chauhan, who is accused of carrying out this action.
A Tihar jail spokesperson said they have shifted Nabbir to jail number 1 from jail number 4.
“Every corner of the prison has CCTV camera footage. The tattoo on his back looks perfectly carved and not one that has been forcefully done. The prisoner has come to Tihar before and has been pulled up for offences such as carrying cellphones. He was at loggerheads with some jail officers and insisted on having an induction cooker as well. We suspect that his friends may have done the tattoo for him. An independent inquiry will find out the truth.”
Jail officers said they would check CCTV camera footage from all cameras and record statement of other inmates, during the inquiry.
Nabbir was in Tihar jail since 2017, was arrested under the Arms Act, as weapons were found under his possession and was allegedly supplying them.
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