Tihar Jail official denies torture of gang-rape accused by inmates

Say his arm was broken in fight with co-accused in case, there was no torture by other prisoners

The superintendent of Jail No.7 at Tihar Central Jail here on Saturday told the special court hearing the December 16 gang-rape case that Vinay Sharma was not assaulted by his cell-mates as alleged by him.

On Friday, Vinay had come to the court with his right arm in a cast and alleged that he was attacked on the night before by his cell-mates to prevent him from taking an Indian Air Force clerical services examination.

The jail official submitted a 24-hour recording of CCTV footage from the cell that Vinay was lodged in and a detailed written reply on the allegations levelled by the accused.

Vinay requested Additional Sessions Judge Yogesh Khanna not to send him back to Tihar alleging that the jail staff has again issued death threats to him.

The Superintendent of Jail No. 7 in Tihar, Lokesh Chandra, who was directed by the court on Friday to explain how Vinay suffered the fracture, alleged that Vinay was injured during a fight with co-accused Akshay Singh in the jail van while returning to the prison from court.

The report he submitted also said that Vinay made contradictory statements in the hospitals he was taken to for medical examination. “In the light of contradictory statements by the patient prisoner (Vinay) in various hospitals, the allegations levelled in the application are totally false, mischievous, unfounded and for ulterior motive,” the report said.

“After Ram Singh’s death we have taken several precautions. They are being lodged in a cell with CCTV surveillance and 24-hour watch by prison guards. They are being kept in a barracks with under-trial prisoners with only minor offences against them. They are being kept away from hardened criminals,” Mr. Chandra told the judge.

Mr. Khanna will consider two applications filed by three accused persons, except Pawan Kumar, on Monday, along with the report filed by the jail superintendent. One application prays for their transfer from Tihar to Rohini Jail. Another application alleges that Vinay, Akshay and Mukesh have been tortured inside Tihar Jail.

The judge asked Mr. Chandra to ensure that the safety of the accused is ensured until the applications are disposed of.

Meanwhile, Vinay’s counsel A. P. Singh reiterated his stand that the cell-mates had assaulted him inside the toilet attached to the cell which was outside the CCTV camera’s field of vision. Mr. Singh also criticised Tihar officials for not informing Vinay’s family or him about the medical examinations conducted on Vinay. However, the prosecution objected saying the jail authorities acted in conformity with the jail manual.