Former Congress councillor and UAPA accused Ishrat Jahan was beaten and abused by inmates in her cell in Mandoli jail on Tuesday, 22 December, her husband Farhan Hashmi and sister Sarwer Jahan have alleged, while speaking to The Quint.
"This is the second time that this is happening. Her clothes have been torn, her head smashed against the wall several times. She is being constantly abused and threatened. They are constantly extorting her to do things... to let her live peacefully. They are saying things like she has to arrange a litre of milk everyday," Farhan said to this reporter.
The last this happened was on 20 November, Ishrat's family told The Quint.
"She is not alright at all. She is not feeling safe" Hashmi added, sounding distressed.
Farhan and Ishrat got married on 12 June while she was out on ten-day interim bail.
An emergency application was moved by Ishrat’s lawyer, Pradeep Teotia, on 22 December in a Delhi court. In the application accessed by The Quint, the lawyer noted, "That it is submitted that the applicant has been badly thrashed by her co-inmates on the morning of 22 December during which she suffered injuries on her body and her clothes were also torn apart." The application also noted how the life of Ishrat was at stake 'if any immediate preventive measures aren't taken'.
Teotia also told the court that the last time she was beaten, one of the inmates was shifted to another jail.
Status Report Sought
In the hearing, that was attended by Ishrat's sister Sarwer, she said that additional sessions judge Amitabh Rawat from Karkardooma court took notice of the episode and ordered for immediate steps to ensure her safety.
"The judge called for a status report from the jail superintendent at 10 am tomorrow (Wednesday) morning, where Ishrat will also be present. He was strict about it and said he doesn't want a normal reply like her ward has been changed. He said he wants to know what punishment has been given to the females (involved) also. He also asked them to tell the court what they had done to guarantee Ishrat's protection for today and tonight," Sarwer said.
She added that the family is afraid for Ishrat's safety overnight. In today's hearing, Ishrat cried throughout. "I can sense fear in her voice," Rawat noted.
The additional superintendent of Mandoli Jail was present in the hearing, The Quint has learnt. She acknowledged that this incident took place and said that necessary steps will be taken.
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