Amin tells court he fears for life in jail

GANDHINAGAR - Former deputy superintendent of police N.K. Amin, an accused in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh staged shoot-out case whose plea to turn approver is pending in court, has raised serious questions about his security in jail and told the court that his life is in danger.

He pleaded before the Ahmedabad court Friday for more security and has sought transfer from the present barrack.

Amin submitted before designated CBI court judge A.Y. Dave Friday that on the one hand he is kept locked up in the barrack on grounds of security and on the other there are no guards around his barrack at night. He told the court that his barrack is near a densely wooded area and he feared that he could easily be attacked.

He said that despite his being a diabetic and in need of medical treatment, the jail authorities have not taken him to the hospital, ignoring his repeated requests. He also doubted the role of jailor N.V. Parmar who woke him up at midnight a few days back.

He submitted that the jail authorities are not taking any action when there is breach of law in the jail.

Giving an example of an incident, he said that a peacock, the national bird, was killed and eaten by inmates. Despite knowing that there is a breach of law, no action has been taken, Amin submitted. Judge Dave has sought clarification on the issue from the jail authorities in this regard and posted the matter for Sep 1.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had Monday moved an application seeking tightening of Amin’s security after his wife wrote to the CBI raising concern about her husband’s security in jail. The letter came after a sensational revelation by a riots case accused in Vadodara that he was approached by Sabarmati central jail authorities in Ahmedabad to kill Amin.

Last week, one Shakeel Sheikh alias Teja claimed in a court in Vadodara that he was offered Rs.10 lakh for the contract killing of Amin, who has sought to turn approver in the triple murder case involving the killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh, his wife Kauserbi and associate Tulsiram Prajapati.

Teja claimed he was badly beaten up when he turned down the offer. Amin’s wife, Jayshreeben has stated in her application to CBI that she is not sure whether Teja was telling the truth that her husband was to be assassinated. But the entire affair causes suspicion so far as Amin’s security aspect is concerned.

Last month, when Amin filed an application seeking permission to become a witness, he expressed fear that his life might be in danger. He also requested the court to shift him from Sabarmati Central Jail.

However, the jail authorities assured the court that they could look after his security. This led the court to order the jail staff to increase Amin’s security.