Jawaharlal Nehru University student and Muslim activist Sharjeel Imam, who is in jail under draconian UAPA, Monday alleged that he was assaulted by convicts at Tihar Jail and called a terrorist during a search inside his cell on 30 June.
On Monday, Imam was to be produced at Karkardooma court for his appearance in the Delhi pogrom conspiracy case. His lawyer and brother said Imam disclosed the assault when they met him at court.
“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 Ahmed 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” Sharjeel Imam and to direct authorities to take immediate steps to protect him from any “further assault/ harassment”.
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 incident took place.
“It appeared that the Assistant Superintendents was complicit in the illegal act,” read the plea.
According to Imam’s lawyer, the judge has issued notice and will hear the matter on July 14 when jail authorities are expected to file a report.
