Undertrial in Tihar branded with ‘Om’ says not given medicines

NEW DELHI: Nabbir, a Tihar prisoner who was branded with “Om” on his back allegedly by a senior prison official, on Monday claimed that despite the court’s order, he was denied medicines by the jail authorities after the torture.
The statement was made after he was produced before the court in an Arms Act case.

Nabbir, through his lawyers Ashutosh Bhardwaj and Jagmohan, has claimed before metropolitan magistrate Richa Parihar that he was tortured by the jail superintendent on April 12, following which the court had ordered an inquiry.

The jail authority did not file an inquiry report on Monday and sought two more weeks to do so stating that the investigation was underway. Parihar, however, granted only a week to complete the investigation and file the report. The lawyers opposed the time sought by the officer, who appeared on behalf of the jail authorities. An inquiry report is expected to be filed on April 30.

In its last order, the court had directed the jail authorities to conduct Nabbir’s medical examination with immediate effect. “Necessary footage must be collected and statements of other inmates taken,” it had said. Nabbir had approached the judge alleging that the superintendent of jail No. 4, branded him with “Om” on his back.