Former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) scholar Sharjeel Imam, currently in judicial custody in the larger conspiracy case in connection with the Delhi riots of 2020, moved a Delhi court on Monday, 4 July, claiming that he was assaulted and harassed inside jail by convicts in the presence of the Assistant Superintendent.
Imam added that he was also called a terrorist and an anti-national. His advocate Ahmed Ibrahim moved the application disclosing that on 30 June, around 7:30 pm, the Assistant Superintendent came to Imam's cell under the pretext of carrying out a search. He was also accompanied by 8 to 9 convicts.
During the search, Imam’s books and clothes were thrown around, while he was assaulted and called a “terrorist” and an “anti-national”, the application said.
Further, no help was received when Imam asked the Superintendent for help. The application said, “It appeared that the Assistant Superintendent was complicit in the illegal act,” LiveLaw reported.
The application has further claimed that the convicts even tried to place contraband in Imam’s possession. However, they failed to do so.
Sharjeel's brother Muzzammil Imam, shared the application on Twitter, and said in the tweet, "On 30.06.2022 Asst Superintendent came up with 8-9 inmates on the pretext of carrying out search of my brother Sharjeel Imam. Upon not finding anything, they called him terrorist, anti-national and assaulted him physically. The entire episode was captured on CCTV camera." (sic)
The application has sought directions to show cause the jail authorities for the alleged illegal assault and search committed. The application has further sought directions to take all steps for Imam's protection from any future assault or harassment.
Imam's advocate has also sought direction on jail authorities to preserve the video recording in the CCTV camera at the relevant time.
The application was moved before Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat. However, due to his unavailability, the matter was heard by a link judge, who issued notice on the application while posting the matter for hearing on 14 July.
(With inputs from LiveLaw.)
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