Inmate seeks CBI probe into Faridkot jail violence
An inmate of the Faridkot district jail, booked last month for alleged involvement in jail violence that erupted after another inmate's death, approached the Punjab and Haryana high court on Thursday, seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the case.
An inmate of the Faridkot district jail, booked last month for alleged involvement in jail violence that erupted after another inmate's death, approached the Punjab and Haryana high court on Thursday, seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the case.
Taking up the petition filed by Sardul Singh, 56, the court issued notices of motion to the Punjab government, Faridkot jail authorities and the CBI for filing their replies.
On April 22, violence had broken out on the jail premises after a prisoner, Harsha Singh, had died under mysterious circumstances. He was the third inmate to have died within a fortnight. Punjab chief minister had ordered a magisterial probe by the subdivisional magistrate, Kotkapura.
An FIR was registered against the petitioner and 12 other inmates on April 22 under sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 307 (attempt to murder) and other sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act on the complaint of the jail superintendent. It was alleged that inmates had hurled bricks and stones, causing injuries to jail officials. It was reported that the inmates had damaged jail property and set ablaze the canteen.
Allegations again jail staff
The petitioner accused the jail authorities of taking bribe from jail inmates' relatives for permitting them to meet prisoners and also allowing the use of drugs on the premises.
The petitioner alleged that police officials were conniving with each other to save their skin and the first information report (FIR) had been registered with mala fide intention against him and other jail inmates.
It has also been alleged that an inmate, Karnail Singh, had died on account of negligence of the jail administration and the doctor as he was neither provided first aid nor brought to the civil hospital.
The court has also been informed that there is no water purifier on the jail premises and 70% of the prisoners are suffering from jaundice, for which proper treatment is not being provided.