Undertrial "branded" in Nabha jail
From Jangveer Singh
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Oct 23 — Duty Magistrate DP Singla today ordered constitution of a board of doctors to medically examine Tarlochan Singh, an undertrail lodged in the maximum security Nabha jail, who alleged he was tortured and branded by jail authorities on Divali night in revenge for his highlighting atrocities in the jail.

Mr Singla, in his order delivered following an application moved by the undertrial, said the examination should be conducted immediately by the board or by senior doctors or the medical superintendent of the local government Rajindra Hospital.

The duty magistrate directed the Nabha Jail authorities to produce Tarlochan Singh immediately before the medical superintendent of Rajindra Hospital and that he be produced on October 26 in the judicial magistrate's court for further orders.

Mr Singla also said in his order that as the applicant was accusing the jail authorities of having tortured him there was no harm in allowing his medical examination by a team of senior doctors.

The undertrial submitted his application in the court of Judicial Magistrate Rajwinder Kaur where he was to appear in connection with a criminal case registered against him today. It was taken up by the duty magistrate as Mrs Rajwinder Kaur is on leave.

He alleged that senior officials of the jail staff, including its medical officer, took him to an open space in the jail premises and compelled him to lie down on his belly on blankets placed on the ground. Tarlochan alleged that four to five persons caught hold of his arms and legs after which some words were written with an iron stick on his back. A cloth was inserted into his mouth to stop him from crying out.

Tarlochan said he wanted to make a detailed statement about the entire incident besides undergoing a medical examination by reputed doctors. He claimed he would suffer irreparable injury if the medical examination was not carried out forthwith.

He claimed that he had been tortured and branded by the jail authorities for highlighting a number of atrocities committed by the jail authorities, jail doctors and the police.

Tarlochan also showed the marks on his body to The Tribune after his hearing. While a cross has been made on his left shoulder, four initials Dr HS, Capt and SP have been written in the centre of his back in descending order.