Prisoners in serial blasts case move HC seeking protection

Chennai, Mar 20 (UNI) More than 100 undertrial prisoners, who are lodged in Coimbatore prison in connection with the 1998 serial blasts case, today moved the High Court seeking protection and safety.

In a habeas corpus petition, the prisoners alleged that they were subjected to torture and inhuman treatment and sought a direction to the Tamil Nadu government to provide protection to them.

When the petition came up for hearing, a division bench comprising Justice P Sathisaivam and Justice J A K Sampathkumar ordered issuance of notice to the state government, ADGP Prisons and jail officials, returnable in two weeks.

The petition was filed by banned Al-umma leader S A Basha and People's Democratic Party leader Abdul Nazar Mahdani.

They also appealed to the court to direct the state government to initiate criminal and departmental action against the jail authorities.

Contending that despite several petitions forwarded through the trial court, the government had not taken any action, the prisoners also demanded a probe by a panel of Human Rights activists.

UNI GV LR KP2010