Muslim Man Tortured, Branded With ‘Om’ Symbol In Indian Jail

The police officials took a metal Om symbol and branded it on Shabbir’s back after heating it.

Islamabad (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 20th April, 2019) A Muslim prisoner was beaten and branded with an Om symbol by Tihar jail officials inside the jail premises.

The case came to light after the man's family approached Karkardooma court with a complaint that their son's life was "in danger in the jail".
When Shabbir alias Nabbir was brought before magistrate Richa Parihar, she found that the Om symbol had been engraved on his back.
Shabbir, a 34-year-old Muslim man, and has been in Tihar jail since November, 2017. Undertrial Shabbir faces charges under the Arms Act, as countrymade weapons were found in his possession.

Shabbir raised a complaint with the superintendent of jail no. 4 about the induction stove in their barracks not working properly. The accused official, Rajesh Chauhan, then allegedly began to beat Shabbir, accusing him of trying to “be a politician” and raising complaints.

Chauhan and other officials then took a metal Om symbol and branded it on Shabbir’s back after heating it.

In his complaint to the Karkardooma court, Shabbir said that he was denied food for two days and on April 14, Chauhan told Shabbir that he had “converted to Hinduism as he had ‘fasted’ during Navratri.

When Shabbir was presented in court, the judge asked for his statement and also saw the branded symbol on his back. She then called for an enquiry into the matter, including CCTV footage and statements by other inmates.

The court while ordering an inquiry into the incident, asked officials to ensure Shabbir’s safety in jail.