Sher Singh Rana files an application seeking for security

New Delhi, May 11 (UNI) Sher Singh Rana, prime accused of assassinating Phoolan Devi, the bandit-turned-parliamentarian, today fied an application in a city court seeking adequate security, as there was a threat to his life in the jail premises.

Appearing before the Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) K C Lohia, Rana stated in his application that, 'he was tortured mentally and physically had apprehension that, he might be administered slow poison. He also requested the court to transfer him to any other jail other than New Delhi.' He is presently lodged at Rohini jail.

The court ordered the jail superintendent of Rohini Jail to file a status report in this matter and posted the case for further hearing on May 19.

Rana stated in his application that, he might be killed due to the conspiracy by the police against him and sought protection in jail on this ground. The erring police personnel should be punished as per law. His food be checked by the doctor regularly in the ''interest of the justice.'' He was arrested for the second time from a house in the Lake Gardens area of south Kolkata on April 25 by the Delhi Police team.

Rana had shot dead Phoolan Devi outside her 44, Ashoka Road residence in Delhi on July 25, 2001.

Rana confessed before the media that, he had murdered Phoolan Devi to avenge the infamous Behmai massacre in which the bandit's gang had shot dead 21 upper-caste men in Behmai village of Uttar Pradesh on Feb 14, 1981 to avenge her gang rape by upper-caste villagers.

UNI XC SB KN2116