Undertrial killed inside Tihar, HC expresses shock: Details
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday expressed shock at the murder of a Tihar Jail inmate who was knifed to death inside the prison, saying that such things are only seen in fiction. The High Court was hearing a plea moved by the victim's father seeking five crore rupees as compensation for the custodial death of his son.
HC directs Delhi Government, police to file a status report
"I don't know how something like this can happen. It is shocking," Justice Prathiba M Singh said. The HC directed the prison authorities, represented by Delhi Government Additional Standing- Counsel Sanjoy Ghose and Advocate Naman Jain, and the police to file a status report indicating whether an FIR has been lodged in connection with the incident and if so, the status of the investigation.
Nine wounds were present on the victim's body: Ghose
During the hearing, Ghose too said that it was a matter of great concern that something like this has happened in the national capital. He said that there were nine wounds on the victim's body.
Report to carry information about CCTV footage of the cell
The court further said that the report shall also indicate whether the CCTV footage of the cell where the victim was housed has been recovered and preserved and if yes, in what manner. It also asked whether any chargesheet has been filed in the case and if so, the status of the trial in the case.
Keep the victim's father informed: Court
The court also said that the victim's father, Ali Sher, be kept informed about the developments in the investigation or trial of the case. With these directions, the court listed the matter for hearing on March 5.
The real cause of death was withheld from victim's father
Sher, in his plea filed through advocates Anwar A Khan and Vishal Raj Sehijpal, has said that his son, Dilsher Azad, was an undertrial prisoner in Tihar Jail since September 2019. On November 30, 2020, he received a call from police officials informing him about the death of Azad, but when he reached the jail, he was not told the real cause of death.
Azad's body was handed over on December 1: Petition
In his plea, Sher also said that the prison authorities did not cooperate with him after he reached the jail that day. After Sher called a lawyer he was informed that his son was stabbed to death with knives. The petition has claimed and added that the body was handed over on December 1, 2020.
Wrote to authorities for action against erring officials, awaiting response
The petition further claims that Sher had written complaints and sent representations to the Human Rights Commissioner, Lt. Governor, the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, Chief Minister of Delhi, and DG Prisons, for action against the erring officials and compensation. "However, till date, nothing has been done or communicated to him," the plea said.
