Murder accused takes out knife in court; jail asked to explain lapse

Ravi Kapoor, key accused in the murder of journalist Soumya Vishwanathan, caused a stir in a court on Thursday by taking out a knife from his pocket and alleging that policemen gave it to him to attack undertrials in Tihar jail.

Ravi Kapoor, key accused in the murder of journalist Soumya Vishwanathan, caused a stir in a court on Thursday by taking out a knife from his pocket and alleging that policemen gave it to him to attack undertrials in Tihar jail.

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The court asked the jail superintendent for an explanation on Kapoor's charge.

"Tihar jail superintendent (high risk cell) is hereby directed to file an explanation on the allegations of the accused by June 4 before the court," Metropolitan Magistrate Veena Rani said.

The accused took the judge, lawyers and others in the court by surprise by taking out a knife from his pocket, saying it was provided to him by policemen to attack other undertrials in the lock-up at Patiala House courts complex.

Taking a note of the claim, the court ordered seizure of the knife and asked the escorting policemen and the lock-up in charge to file a written response during the day.

The Magistrate took down the replies of policemen and the lock-up in charge on the record for consideration of the judge.

Contents of the replies, however, were not known.

The replies would be considered on June 4, the next date of hearing, by the judge who is conducting the trial in the case.

Kapoor, facing prosecution in several criminal cases, including the murder cases of Vishwanathan and IT executive Jigisha Ghosh, was today produced in the court in connection with a matter lodged for his failed attempt to flee from the custody of a hospital.

The court, meanwhile, directed the Tihar jail superintendent to ensure that the accused is not harassed and assaulted inside the prison.