2 days ago
Delhi High Court Warns Tihar Warden Against Unnecessary Beatings
The Delhi High Court looked at video from a fight inside Tihar prison.
A prison warden used a stick to break up the quarrel.
Later, the warden brought some prisoners out of their cells and hit them again.
The judges said this second beating was not needed because the prisoners had already gone back to their cells.
The video did not show that the prisoners threatened the warden at that time.
The warden said the prisoners had used abusive language, while a prosecutor said some had a knife and a needle.
The warden apologized and was warned not to repeat such behavior.
One injured prisoner will be checked by a prison doctor and may receive treatment at a government hospital.
The Delhi High Court said unnecessary violence against inmates by prison authorities is impermissible.
CCTV footage from June 26 showed a Tihar warden hitting inmates during a quarrel and again after they returned to their cells.
The court found no visible threat to the warden during the second incident and called the later beating unnecessary.
The warden apologized unconditionally after the court warned that repeated conduct could lead to stern action.
An injured life-sentenced inmate with a fractured forearm was ordered to receive medical evaluation and, if needed, government-hospital treatment.
- Who
- The Delhi High Court, a Tihar prison warden, prison inmates, and an injured life-sentenced inmate.
- What
- The court warned the warden that unnecessary beating and violence against inmates are impermissible.
- Where
- The Tihar prison complex in New Delhi.
- When
- The incident occurred on June 26; the court issued its order on September 23, reported September 28.
- Why
- The warning followed CCTV footage showing the warden hitting inmates after the situation had reportedly been controlled.
Court's assessment
Warden's and prosecution's account
Need for force
Court's assessment
The court said the second use of a danda was unnecessary because the inmates had dispersed and returned to their cells, and the footage showed no threat to the warden.
Warden's and prosecution's account
The warden claimed the inmates used abusive language, while the prosecutor said inmates were found with a knife and a needle.
Conduct after the incident
Court's assessment
The court warned that unnecessary violence against inmates is impermissible and could attract stern action if repeated.
Warden's and prosecution's account
The warden tendered an unconditional apology and expressed regret over his conduct.
Key facts
- Court
- Delhi High Court
- Judges
- Justices Prathiba M Singh and Dinesh Bhatt
- Incident date
- June 26
- Order date
- September 23
- Injury
- An inmate suffered a forearm fracture
- Court warning
- Repeated unnecessary violence could lead to stern action
- Medical direction
- The inmate must be examined by a jail medical officer and treated at a government hospital if required
Quotes
Delhi High Court bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Dinesh Bhatt
Judges who issued the warning in the Delhi High Court order
“Even if that was so, hitting the inmates with a danda (stick), especially when they had dispersed and had returned to their cells, was unnecessary as none of the inmates was armed when they came out from their respective cells.”
theprint.in
“The CCTV footage does not show any threat from the inmates to the warden on the second occasion and hence, it is reiterated, that the use of violence and beating after the situation had been controlled was totally unnecessary.”
theprint.in
Sources
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