Threat to life, animal-like treatment in jail, alleges Yasin Bhatkal
New Delhi, Jan 15 (IANS): Indian Mujahideen (IM) co-founder Yasin Bhatkal, allegedly involved in numerous terror attacks across the country, Wednesday complained in a court here that there is threat to his life as Tihar Jail officials are treating them "even worse than animals".
Bhatkal and his close aide Asadullah Akhtar have moved an application before District Judge I.S. Mehta at Patiala House Court here requesting him to issue direction to the director general, Tihar Jail, to ensure proper security and safety to them inside the prison premises.
Arrested by the National Investigation Agency in August 2013, Bhatkal is lodged in the Tihar Jail along with Akhtar.
"The superintendent of Tihar Jail has threatened Akhtar and Bhatkal that they would be killed in jail. The attitude and behaviour of jail authorities towards the accused is abusive and they are being treated even worse than animals," the duo's defence counsel M.S. Khan told the court.
Khan contended there was apprehension that some untoward incident may take place with his clients. Jail authorities have refused him to have an interview with his clients in jail premises, he added.
The court has posted the matter for Jan 17 for further hearing the matter and asked the jail authorities to file a reply on the complaint.
Chinnaswamy Stadium blast: Karnataka Police wants Bhatkal's custody
The Karnatataka Police Wednesday moved a court here seeking custody of Indian Mujahideen (IM) co-founder Yasin Bhatkal in connection with the 2010 Chinnaswamy Stadium blast case.
The state police requested District Judge I.S. Mehta at Patiala House Court here to hand over the custody of Bhatkal, telling him a Bangalore court has issued production warrant for Bhatkal asking for him to be brought before it on or before Jan 20.
The court has fixed Jan 17 for further hearing.
Bhatkal has been booked as an accused in April 2010 blasts where two low-intensity bombs went off at the stadium, about an hour before the start of the Royal Challengers Bangalore-Mumbai Indians match, injuring 15 people and delaying the match by an hour.
Arrested by the National Investigation Agency August 2013, Bhatkal is accused of being involved in numerous terror attacks across the country.