New Delhi: A Delhi court has sought a report from Tihar Jail superintendent on a complaint made by one of the accused in a minor`s rape case that he is beaten up by undertrials in jail van while being escorted to and from the court.
Additional Sessions Judge Sanjay Garg, who is presiding over special court under the POCSO Act, has also directed the jail superintendent to make appropriate arrangements regarding the "safety and security" of accused Pradeep Kumar, who is lodged in Tihar Jail in judicial custody.
"The report be called from Superintendent Jail and Lockup In-charge (Karkardooma Court). Superintendent Jail is directed to make appropriate arrangements regarding the safety and security of this accused. Copy of the order be sent to Superintendent Jail and Lockup In-charge," the court said.
The court`s order came after Pradeep complained to the judge that he was often beaten by other undertrials when he, along with co-accused Manoj Shah, was brought to the court from the prison in the jail van.
The court has now fixed July 6 for hearing arguments on framing of charges against the two accused in the case.
Manoj and Pradeep are accused of brutally raping a five-year-old girl on April 15 in a building in east Delhi`s Gandhi Nagar locality where the victim and accused lived.
The girl was rescued 40 hours later on April 17 and is under treatment at AIIMS.
Manoj, 22 and Pradeep, 20, who had fled after committing the crime, were arrested from Bihar, according to the police.
Delhi police had on May 24 filed a charge sheet against the duo under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act relating to aggravated sexual assault and for offences including procuring a minor girl, kidnapping, wrongful confinement, attempt to murder and destruction of evidence under the IPC.
PTI
