Muslim inmate branded with Om symbol, denied food by Indian jail officials

NEW DELHI: A Muslim inmate under trial at the Tihar prison claimed he was beaten and branded with an Om symbol by jail officials inside the prison premises, India Today reported.

Nabbir, told his family that he was branded with an Om symbol and was not fed for two days on April 12, the paper reported, adding the inmate said that he was subjected to cruel and inhuman treatment by jail superintendent Rajesh Chauhan.

After his family informed his counsel, the counsel moved an application in the court.

Directing the Tihar authorities to probe the complaint, the court said, “The allegations raised by the accused are of serious nature and required immediate intervention… a notice is being issued to DGP, Prisoner, Head Quarter, 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.”

The court also instructed jail authorities to ensure the inmate's safety and that he be “immediately removed from the direct or indirect supervision of jail superintendent Rajesh Chauhan”.

Director General of Tihar Ajay Kashyap told The Indian Express, “We have ordered an enquiry into the incident. The inmate has been shifted to a different jail. He was lodged in the high-risk prison which is monitored by CCTV cameras. The footage will be scanned and the inmate’s medical examination will be carried out. If the superintendent is found guilty, strict action will be taken. The report will be submitted in court once the enquiry is complete.”