Muslim inmate branded with Om symbol in India by jail official

An under trial Muslim inmate in India was branded with an Om symbol by a Tihar jail superintendent in New Delhi and has also alleged that he was was denied food.

The prisoner, identified as Nabbir, has said that he was branded by the superintendent Rajesh Chauhan, who not only denied him food for two days but also threatened to convert him to Hinduism, the Indian Express reported. Nabbir's family informed his counsel, after which the counsel moved an application in the court.

The Muslim prisoner was brought before Metropolitan Magistrate Richa Parihar, who also saw the brand on his back. The court has ordered an inquiry and has also issued a notice to DGP, prisoner, Head Quarter, Jail No. 4, New Delhi to get the medical examination of accused Nabbir conducted.

The court has instructed jail authorities to ensure Nabbir's safety and that he be immediately removed from the direct or indirect supervision of jail superintendent Rajesh Chauhan.

Earlier in February, a Pakistani Muslim Shakirullah was stoned to death by Indian inmates in Jaipur. However, Indian media reports claimed that Shakirullah was killed after a brawl in the jail over TV volume.