By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Pune: Himayat Baig, the lone convict in the German Bakery blast, has alleged that he was assaulted by his inmates at the city’s Yerwada jail, where he is lodged since November 2014. His father has requested for Baig’s transfer to Mumbai’s central prison.
Yerwada police, however, have rejected Baig’s claim.
(Courtesy: globalmarathi.com)
Baig reportedly wrote a letter to Anjum Inamdar, a city-based activist and president of the Mulniwasi Muslim Manch, informing that he survived an assault by some hardened criminals lodged in the jail. As per his letter, the incident happened on Thursday, February 19 when some inmates assaulted him chanting slogans ‘Jai Bhavani Jai Shivaji’. Fearing repercussions of the said incidence, the jail authority repressed the matter, the letter alleged.
Baig’s father, Mirza Inayat Baig, and members of the Manch have submitted a complaint – a copy of which is with TwoCircles.Net – to the authorities at the Yerwada police station on Sunday requesting an investigation into the alleged assault in the Yerwada prison and requested to protect his life. Baig has also sent a copy to the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
In his complaint letter, Inayat Baig expressed grave apprehension for the life of his son in view of the similar incident concerning his co-accused Qateel Siddique, 28, who was murdered in August 2012 in the very prison by two hardened criminals, and therefore requested for his transfer to Mumbai’s central prison.
An alleged Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative, Siddiqui, who was made accused in the German Bakery blast case by Maharashtra ATS, was killed by his co-inmate, gangster Sharad Mohol in Yerwada jail in August 2012.
The Yerwada police, however, has categorically rejected Baig’s claim that such an incident happened inside the jail. According to V T Sonde, police inspector (crime), Yerwada, prison authorities have denied such an assault as a consequence, an FIR could not be lodged in this matter.
Inamdar told TwoCircles.net that soon after receiving letter from Baig, he immediately informed the issue to his family and lawyers.
“I keep track of the case proceedings and hence always remain in contact with lawyers. I have informed his lawyers who have today (Monday) told the High Court about the incidence and sought his transfer,” Inamdar said.
Baig was in Mumbai Central Prison until November 6 for producing before Bombay High Court during proceedings of the appeal filed by him against the conviction but was transferred to Yerwada jail in Pune as no regular hearing was taking place at the Bombay High Court. Baig has been sentenced for death by Pune’s session court in 2013.
Before this alleged incidence of assault, he had requested prison authorities for transfer to Mumbai prison expressing threat to his life. When the prison authorities paid no heed to his application, he approached the Bombay High Court for transfer. The Court had accepted the petition and issued notices to the prison authority and the state.
Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind appointed senior criminal lawyer Tahur Pathan, told TwoCircles.net, “We have been urging the court since couple of months for his immediate transfer due to apparent threat to Baig for apparent reason for suppressing the unearthing the truth in the case. This incidence proves that our apprehension is real.”
Talking about the proceedings on the transfer petition before Bombay High Court, he said, “Our panel has apprised the court today about the incidence and the court has scheduled the matter of transfer for hearing tomorrow. We are now hopeful that the court will order for his immediate transfer.”
Related:
German Bakery blast convict fear for his life in Yerwada Jail; Appeals to Bombay HC for transfer