Indian Mujahideen (IM) co-founder Yasin Bhatkal is in a "habit of filing false complaints", the Tihar jail authority today told a Delhi court while responding to his plea in which he had alleged that he was being treated "worse than an animal" in the high security prison.
In its report, the jail authority denied Bhatkal's claim that he was not provided proper food even in the holy month of Ramzan, saying the "accused is being provided the food as per norms."
Disposing of Bhatkal's plea, the court observed that no action was required to be taken at this stage and that he could take up his grievance with the judge who inspects the jail regularly. "It has been further pointed out (in the report) that applicant/accused is in a habit of filing false complaints before different courts. In this regard, copies of several complaints have been annexed along with the report," Additional Sessions Judge Raj Kapoor said.
Regarding Bhatkal's allegation that had been kept in solitary confinement and was not allowed to move out from his cell, the prison authority said he is a "high risk inmate, therefore, the timing with respect to taking him out of cell has been determined".
Bhatkal had alleged that he is presently lodged in Jail No.2 of Tihar jail and has not seen sunlight except during his transportation for the purpose of production before court. He also claimed that he has been observing fast during Ramzan but was not provided timely and proper food in the jail. The court, after going through the report, observed that no action was required to be taken at this stage since Bhatkal is a "high security inmate". "Since applicant/accused (Bhatkal) is a high security inmate, in view of this, his taking out of cell or his lodging is being regulated, therefore, to my view no action is required at this stage," the judge said. "However, for the purpose of internal management, a visiting judge has been appointed by the District and Sessions Judge-I. If applicant/accused feels any grievance, he shall take necessary steps by invoking the indulgence of visiting judge of Central Jail no.2," the judge said while disposing of Bhatkal's plea.
Bhatkal, arrested for his alleged role in various terror strikes across India, had claimed in his application that he was being "treated even worse than an animal" and he was not having access to fresh air. Bhatkal and his aide Asadullah Akhtar were arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from Indo-Nepal border on the night of August 28, last year. They were wanted for their alleged roles in a string of terror attacks in the country.
According to the probe agencies, 30-year-old Bhatkal was earlier associated with banned outfit Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and had played a key role in several terror strikes in the country.
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