8 Ahmedabad '08 blasts accused complain of torture

Eight inmates of Sabarmati jail have complained of harassment and one of them has even accused the jail staff of beating him up along with some undertrial prisoners.

“During the hearing of the serial blast case on Wednesday, four of the accused gave a statement before additional principal sessions judge Jyotsna Yagnik and described the incident that occurred on September 3. Court has directed them to lodge a complaint with the jail superintendent,” said IM Munshi, counsel for the accused.

A series of bomb blasts had rocked Ahmedabad on July 26, 2008, killing 57 people. The trial is being conducted via video conferencing so as to avoid transportation of as many as 74 accused in the case.

“We had demanded that the court direct the jail authorities about the incident and the attack on one of the accused. The court, however, has observed that a complaint has to be registered with the jail superintendent and Ranip police station. The complaint will be heard once it reaches court,” Munshi added.

Those who have complained include Iqbal Kasam Shaikh, Hafiz Mulla alias Adnan, Nadeem Saiyed and Ansar. While giving his statement to the court, Saiyed also said that he was hit on the cheek which forced him to go for treatment in the jail.