New Delhi: A Delhi court has sought an explanation from Tihar Jail authorities on why only two of the five inmates identified as potential threats to Aaftab Amin Poonawala were shifted from his security ward, observing that the threat to him persists inside the prison.Additional Sessions Judge Hargurvarinder Singh Jaggi in an order dated Nov 6 directed the superintendent of Central Jail No. 4 to submit a fresh status report. “In short, the threat to the accused/UTP remains,” the court observed.The court’s directions came after Poonawala, who appeared through video conferencing, disputed the jail administration’s claim that inmates posing a security concern had been shifted. He said only two of the five inmates he had identified were moved, while the remaining three continued to be lodged in the same security ward. He also complained that he was allowed out of his cell for only 30 minutes each in the morning and evening, despite being provided a personal escort.Poonawala had earlier told the court that some inmates threatened to slash his face with improvised weapons, including sua (needle), and cause him bodily harm. The court had subsequently directed jail authorities to ensure his safety and consider shifting him to a separate ward or cell.In its report, the jail administration said Poonawala was lodged in an individual cell in a separate security ward in Central Jail No. 4, under 24-hour CCTV surveillance. A personal escort remained deployed near him from morning lock-out till night lock-up and accompanied him whenever he left the ward.The authorities also claimed that an inquiry found no threats against him, adding that some inmates creating a nuisance over trivial issues had been shifted to other wards.Taking note of Poonawala’s submissions, the court asked the jail superintendent to “explain the discrepancy and report on the steps taken to address Poonawala’s concerns”. The report is due by the next hearing on Nov 17.Poonawala is facing trial for allegedly killing his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar in May 2022 following an argument at their Chhattarpur residence.
