In an application submitted on Friday before Additional Sessions Judge S K Gautam, Irshad claimed he had been “thrashed” by two convicts, Ashok and Sonu, near Jail number three on Thursday evening. He further alleged in his complaint that some special cell officers might have been behind the attack.

Irshad, who was picked up along with his cousin Moarif Qamar by the Special Cell in 2006, also demanded an inquiry. Demanding “protection”, Irshad also said footage of the attack that might have been recorded in CCTV cameras inside the prison premises, should be preserved for the purpose of the inquiry.

He told the court that the incident might be a consequence of the letter he had written to the Prime Minister on February 4, in which he had appealed that necessary steps be taken against the police who were allegedly threatening him to withdraw the case.

Taking note of his application, ASJ Gautam has asked the jail superintendent to file a report in the matter on Monday. When contacted by Newsline, prison authorities however, denied the incident. Sunil Gupta, Law Officer, Tihar Jail, dismissed the incident as a “minor scuffle” between inmates that was “soon brought under control”.