Delhi High Court Grants Interim Bail to Inmate Alleging Assault in Tihar Jail
In a significant ruling, the Delhi High Court has granted a 30-day interim bail to an inmate in Tihar Jail who alleged that jail officials assaulted him. The decision came after reviewing a medical report indicating a fracture in the inmate's hand. The court has scheduled further hearings to address the serious allegations of mistreatment and has mandated that jail officials ensure proper medical care for inmates. This case raises critical questions about the treatment of prisoners and the accountability of jail authorities. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
| Jul 29, 2026, 20:08 IST
Interim Bail Granted Amid Assault Allegations
The Delhi High Court issued a 30-day interim bail on Wednesday to a prisoner in Tihar Jail who accused jail officials of assault. This inmate is currently serving a life sentence in a POCSO case. The court's decision followed a review of a medical report from Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, which indicated that the inmate, Ashish alias Vicky, had suffered a fracture in his hand. Justices Pratibha M. Singh and Vikas Mahajan granted the interim bail on the condition of a ₹10,000 bail bond and an equal amount as a surety bond. After examining the reports from jail officials and the medical report, the bench stated, "We need to study these reports; in the meantime, we are granting interim bail to inmate Ashish alias Vicky." The bench has scheduled the next hearing for September 23 to provide further directions in the case.
Court Proceedings and Allegations
Head Warden Sagar also appeared in court and submitted a personal affidavit. Advocate Digant Mishra represented the applicant. Previously, on July 17, the Delhi High Court had sought responses from jail officials regarding allegations of assault involving three inmates, including one convicted individual. The court had instructed the head warden to be present at the next hearing concerning the assault allegations. It is claimed that the head warden assaulted Ashish alias Vicky for failing to pay a protection money demand of ₹15,000. The alleged assault took place on June 26, and CCTV footage from that day has been preserved and submitted to the court in a sealed envelope as per the bench's instructions. Jail officials have been directed to ensure that inmates receive medical examinations and treatment at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, and the jail medical officer has been instructed to submit a medical report by the next hearing date.
Legal Representation and State Response
Advocate Digant Mishra, representing Ashish alias Vicky, stated that the petitioner and two other inmates were assaulted 15 days prior. He further claimed that the assault occurred due to the failure to meet the protection money demand. It was also noted that jail staff had denied the inmates medical treatment. Ritesh Bahtari, the Additional Public Prosecutor representing the state, remarked that such incidents are common, citing a case where one inmate had even murdered another. He suggested that a medical report should be obtained. The High Court responded by stating that such occurrences are not normal and must be addressed with strict measures.