Former Congress Councillor Ishrat Jahan, arrested under the draconian UAPA in a northeast Delhi riots case, told court in Delhi on Tuesday that she was beaten up by inmates at Mandoli jail and was continuously facing harassment in prison.
Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat directed the jail authorities to take immediate steps to ensure Jahan’s security and ensure that she was not harassed further for bringing her complaints before the court, PTI reported.
“This is the second incident in a month. In the morning today at 6:30 Am, they (inmates) beat me badly and abused me verbally. One of the inmates even slit her hand so that I am punished on a false complaint. Fortunately, the jail officials did not listen to them. I have given a written complaint also. They keep calling me a terrorist. They also demanded money from me in the canteen,” Ishrat Jahan told the court.
Judge Rawat sought a detailed report from the jail authorities on Wednesday on the steps that have been taken to address the issue and to also state if shifting to her to another jail was required.
“She (Ishrat Jahan) seems to be in a state of utter fear. Please talk to her immediately and understand the situation. File a detailed report about the steps taken to allay her apprehension and her fear,” judge told the jail official.
