SIMI undertrials allege torture in Bhopal jail, National Human Rights Commission pays a visit
The alleged operatives had written to the commission saying that they were being tortured inside the jail and were also forced to raise slogans against their religion.
In Short
- Human Rights Commission panel today visited Bhopal Central Jail.
- The visit was after SIMI undertrials alleged harassment in prison.
- The undertrials approached the commission on May 24.
A three member team of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday visited the Bhopal Central Jail and spoke to alleged SIMI operatives who are lodged in the high security jail.
The alleged operatives had written to the commission saying that they were being tortured inside the jail and were also forced to raise slogans against their religion.
The alleged operatives are undergoing trial for their alleged association with the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).
The accused who were arrested from different parts for the state on different occasions have been lodged in separate barracks at the Bhopal Central Jail because of the high security that is required to keep them in custody.
It may be recalled that eight alleged activists of the banned SIMI had escaped from the same jail during the intervening night of October 30 and 31 last year. The eight were gunned down in an encounter at an isolated spot about 15 km from the jail the next day.
Human Rights organisations had raised questions over the alleged enquiry following which a one man judicial commission was formed to enquire into the alleged encounter and jail break.
The commission was mandated to submit its findings within three months but has now been granted extension after it failed to do so.
Family members of the eight dead men have repeatedly raised questions over the manner in which the commission is conducting its inquiry.
Lawyers and family members of the alleged SIMI operatives who are lodged inside the Bhopal Central Jail have also expressed fears for their lives and demanded an independent probe into the alleged atrocities that they are being subjected to.
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