A Delhi court on Monday directed the Tihar jail authorities to take immediate measures to ensure the safety of Aaftab Amin Poonawala, the accused in the Shraddha Walkar murder case, after he claimed that fellow inmates had threatened to slash his face.
It directed that a copy of its order be sent to the jail authorities and the investigating officer for compliance.
Further, if required, the accused may be kept in a separate ward and/or cell away from the notorious inmates. Poonawala informed the court that he was currently lodged in Jail No. 4A of Tihar Jail, which houses a special cell and is also a punishment ward. He expressed concerns over his safety and security inside the prison. Taking note of his submissions, the court directed the jail superintendent to take immediate measures to ensure the safety and security of the accused and file an action-taken report at the earliest. “The safety of an undertrial prisoner is a top priority and one of the hallmark principles of the criminal justice system. The accused disclosed the names of five inmates who had allegedly threatened him. However, the court ordered that their names be redacted from the proceedings record to maintain confidentiality and ensure the safety and security of the accused.
Additional Sessions Judge Hargurvarinder Singh Jaggi, who was recording prosecution evidence in the case, was informed by the accused that some inmates had been repeatedly threatening him for the past 10 days, saying they would slash his face with “improvised weapons” and cause him bodily harm. In an order, the court said, “The court deems fit to direct the concerned Jail Superintendent to take immediate steps to ensure safety and security of the accused. It is the duty of the state to keep UTPs (under trial prisoners) safe and secure, which is within the realm of a right to fair trial of an accused,” the judge said.
