Former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) scholar and Muslim activist Sharjeel Imam, who is in jail under draconian UAPA, Monday alleged that he was assaulted by convicts in the presence of the Assistant Superintendent at Tihar Jail and called a terrorist during a search inside his cell on 30 June.
Imam claimed that on 30 June, around 7:30 pm, the Assistant Superintendent came to Imam’s cell under the pretext of carrying out a search. He was also accompanied by 8 to 9 convicts.
“On 30.06.2022 Asst. Superintendent came up with 8-9 inmates on the pretext of carrying out search of my brother Sharjeel Imam’s cell. Upon not finding anything, they called him terrorist, anti-national & assaulted him physically. The entire episode was captured on CCTV camera,” said Muzammil Imam, brother of Sharjeel Imam.
Imam’s lawyer Ibrahim moved an application before a link judge at Karkardooma court to issue show cause notice to jail authorities for the “illegal assault and search committed upon the applicant” and to direct authorities to take immediate steps to protect him from any “further assault/ harassment”, the Indian Express has reported.
Sharjeel Imam also asked the court to direct jail authorities to preserve video recorded in CCTV camera of the jail from 7.15 pm to 8.30 pm on June 30, when the alleged incident took place.
During the search, Imam said his books and clothes were thrown around. Further, no help was received when Imam asked the Superintendent for help. The application said, “It appeared that the Assistant Superintendent was complicit in the illegal act,” LiveLaw reported.
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