One injured in Mumbai jail gang-war

MUMBAI - A murder accused was injured here Saturday when a gang-war erupted inside the high-security Arthur Road Central Jail for the second time in two months, an official source said.

Hassan Mehndi, said to be a close aide of mafia don Abu Salem, was brutally attacked and punched in the face and eyes allegedly by four members of the Pandav Putra gang inside the jail premises.

Mehndi, who worked as a driver for Salem, sustained injuries in his eyes, face and hand and has been admitted to the jail hospital, according to the source.

He was a co-accused in the murder of builder Pradeep Jain and had been nabbed five years ago.

This is the second instance of gang war in the past two months inside the city’s highly fortified and most famous jail, located in south Mumbai.

Last July 24, Salem had also been attacked by Mustafa Dossa by a spoon sharpened like a knife. He had sustained injuries on the face.

Salem, extradited from Portugal in 2005, is lodged in the same jail in connection with several offences.

Pakistani terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Amir alias Kasab sentenced to death is also lodged in the same prison.

Police have registered a case and further enquiries are on in the matter.