India: Muslim marked with sacred Hindu sign in jail

By Ahmad Adil

CHANDIGARH, India (AA) - An Indian court called for an inquiry after a Muslim prisoner alleged that he was sealed with a sacred Hindu symbol during his detention, local media reported on Friday.

“The case came to light after the man's family approached the Karkardooma court with a complaint that their son's life was "in danger in the jail",” the local news broadcaster India Today said.

The victim was identified as Shabbir Alias Nabbir and was lodged at New Delhi’s Tihar Jail pending trial and was facing charges under the Arms Act.

Nabbir claimed a senior jail official engraved an Om symbol -- a sacred syllable in Hinduism – on his back in the jail.

The New Delhi court has ordered an inquiry into Nabbir’s claims.

“The allegations raised by the accused are of serious nature and required immediate intervention …,” the Indian daily reported quoting the order issued by the court.

“… a notice is being issued to DGP [Director General of Police], prisoner, head quarter, jail no 4, New Delhi to get the medical examination of accused Nabbir conducted with immediate effect and also to make enquiry report regarding the burn imprinted ‘Om’ mark on the person of the accused,” it added.

“It is further directed that necessary arrangements be made to ensure the safety of accused in jail and he be immediately removed from the direct or indirect supervision of jail superintendent Rajesh Chauhan.”