Inquiry into Akhtar’s claims of being beaten in jail

Mumbai: A special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court on Friday directed the IG (prisons) to inquire into allegations made by 13/7 Mumbai blasts’ accused Nadeem Akhtar that he was beaten up by jail staff last month. The court also directed the IG to take into consideration the CCTV footage where the incident was recorded.

Special judge S.M. Bhosale on Friday directed the IG (prisons) to conduct an inquiry into the allegations made by Akhtar, and file a report within 15 days. The judge also asked the jail official to consider the CCTV footage of the jail premises while conducting the inquiry. The accused has alleged that two jail staff of Taloja jail beat him up in March without any valid reason.

Akhtar, in an application filed before the MCOCA court, complained that he had fever for over a month and was undergoing treatment at the jail hospital. On March 17, the jail doctors referred him for further treatment to the civic hospital in Vashi, Navi Mumbai. Upon his return to jail, the jail staff took him to the frisking area and asked him to strip in front of the camera in the presence of others. When he refused, he was first abused and then slapped and kicked repeatedly with another jail staff joining in. Akhtar has stated the names of the jail staff in question. According to him, no action has been taken against them and hence, he filed an application in court seeking action against the staff.

Akhtar, along with 10 others, is facing trial for his alleged involvement in the Mumbai serial blasts that occurred at Opera House, Zaveri Bazaar and Dadar west on July 13, 2011.