Prison authorities have begun an inquiry into a video footage that is under circulation showing alleged harassment of inmates of the Coimbatore Central Prison.
The video footage runs for about seven minutes.
It shows three prison inmates, who were wearing only undergarments, kept in isolation.
One of them was in a room with water all over the floor. Another inmate was eating food left on the floor.
Lawyer K. Tholkappian claimed that one of the three persons was his client Devaraj (58).
Deveraj of Kannankurichi in Salem was convicted for murder and in the prison here for more than 10 years. Mr. Tholkappian claimed that his client was beaten up by a few wardens and prison authorities on March 9.
“He is a diabetic. He was kept in the isolation block (2A), beaten and tortured (by a few wardens who were named) because he asked for medicines and the required diet,” the lawyer told The Hindu .
He added that the convict’s wife was denied permission to meet him without reason.
He said that Devaraj’s wife Shanthi (45) petitioned the Registrar of the Madras High Court and judicial magistrates here in this connection — in the second week of March.
“The video stands testimony that he was among inmates. who were harassed by prison authorities. who talked back to them (authorities),” he added.
Superintendent of Central Prison K. Anandan claimed that the video was aimed at tarnishing the image of the prison.
He added that inmates of the prison were not harassed and that they had started inquiry with prison staff, wardens and inmates on the alleged harassment of inmates.
Mr. Anandan said that some inmates, who were not ready to accept reformation and discipline, were turning mischief mongers and spread such rumours about the prison.
“Inquiry is also on to find out who took a mobile phone inside the prison and who facilitated carrying the contraband item,” the prison superintendent added.
