Muslim undertrial branded with ‘Om’ symbol in Tihar jail, probe ordered

In a shocking case of cruelty, a Muslim undertrial in Delhi’s Tihar jail was branded with "Om" symbol on his back allegedly by a prison superintendent. 34-year-old Shabbir alias Nabbir, a resident of Seelampur in northeast Delhi, has addressed a complaint to the jail superintendent that the induction stove in their barracks was not working. Enraged with his complaint, the official called him to his office where he was allegedly thrashed. The official along with other jail staff then branded "Om" on his back using a hot metal. Shabbir was also allegedly deprived of food for two days in the name of Navratra fast.

The incident came to light after Shabbir’s lawyer visited him in the jail. Shabbir narrated his ordeal to the lawyer who later filed an application before the Karkardooma Court in Delhi. Shabbir told Metropolitan Magistrate Richa Parihar that the jail superintendent also threatened to convert him to Hinduism. 

Taking the charges seriously, the court ordered and inquiry and asked the jail authorities to probe the complaint and submit a report by Monday. "The allegations raised by the accused are of serious nature and require immediate intervention. In view of same, notice is being issued to DGP Prison, Headquarter, Tihar Jail No. 4, New Delhi to get the medical examination of accused Nabbir conducted with immediate effect and also to make enquiry report regarding the burn imprinted 'Om' mark on the person of the accused. Necessary CCTV footage be collected, and statement of other inmates be also taken in this regard," the judge said.

The Jail authorities later confirmed that an inquiry committee has been constituted and the prisoner has been shifted to a different prison. "An inquiry committee has been constituted, report will be brought before Court. Action will be taken as per further order. Prisoner shifted from jail no 4 to 1," ANI quoted AIG (Prisons) PRO Raj Kumar as saying.