CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority (TNSLSA) has ordered an inquiry by its Theni district wing into the allegations whether torture by prison authorities had prompted the 17 prisoners to escape from the jail.TNSLSA chairman Justice S M Subramaniam has instructed the Theni district legal services authority to visit the prison and conduct an inquiry into the allegations of torture by not providing proper food and drinking water, and other ill treatment of the prisoners before their escape from the jail.The district chairman has also been instructed to ascertain whether the 17 prisoners were threatened, coerced or prevented from making complaints about the alleged torture by the prison authorities.Instructions have also been given to the district authorities of Cuddalore, Madurai, Salem and Tirunelveli to visit the respective central prisons where the 17 prisoners are currently lodged and conduct an inquiry in the absence of prison authorities about the alleged torture. The authorities have been instructed to file their reports on or before Nov 16.
