Tihar’s most dreaded run for cover

Twenty-eight of Tihar Jail’s most dreaded inmates seek protection from the authorities against a gang of fellow prisoners, all very lightweight in comparison, reports Tushar Srivastava.

The shoe is on the other foot now, and it hurts. Twenty-eight of Tihar Jail’s most dreaded inmates have sought protection from the authorities against a gang of fellow prisoners, all very lightweight in comparison.

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Here are some from the dread list: Tariq Ahmad Dar, mastermind of the Delhi 2005 blasts that killed over 60 people, underworld don Fazlu Rehman and Maulvi Dilawar who was caught with a huge cache of grenades.

And their tormentor are small-time crooks led by “bad characters” Mohammad Sheru and Satinderpal Singh Twinkle. These two have terrorised the biggies with demands for protection money;.

“They pay a monthly cut to jail officials who give them information regarding the moneyed inmates. Then Sheru threatens the inmates with dire consequences if they fail to pay up,” says the complaint.

The biggies are so scared they have sent copies of the complaint sent to Patiala House courts, National Human Rights Commission and some other agencies, whoever can help.

The last straw was a murderous attack on Mirza Iftikaar Hussain, in custody for possessing explosives. Sheru attacked him not very far from a constable on guard duty in April. And all he was armed with was a scalpel – a surgical blade. The guard intervened and snatched it from him. As they were led away, Twinkle let Hussain know there was worse in store. An FIR was registered and Sheru and Twinkle were arrested.

Tihar Director General BK Gupta refused to comment on the incident.