After Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, and Shifa-ur-Rehman, who are accused in a case alleging a larger conspiracy case in the 2020 North-East Delhi riots, claimed that the telephone facility with their family members had been stopped, a Delhi Court summoned various Tihar jail superintendents and Law Officer (Prisons) on January 2.

Two Tihar Jail superintendents were present at the hearing in front of Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat's court. The court is now hearing FIR 59/2020.

The superintendent of Central Jail No. 6 cited both the notification issued on September 02 of last year by the AIG (Prison) and Rule 631 of the Delhi Prison Rules, 2018 (HQ). The attorneys representing the three accused claimed that although the calling service was offered in accordance with Rule 631 of the Delhi Prison Rules, 2018, it was discontinued following the notification.

Further information was provided to the court, including a letter from Superintendent Jail No. 8 stating that calling privileges were allowed to co-accused Meeran Haider after it was determined that Rule 631 did not apply to UAPA.

It was contended that Rule 631 must be applied when a case falls under the UAPA and involves offenders who often assault other inmates.

It was suggested during the hearing that the three accused persons' respective jail superintendents and the Law Officer (Prisons) (HQ) be called before the court to explain their individual positions and opinions regarding the telephonic facility for giving a single opinion for the entire prison instead of different jails.

Accordingly, the court ordered: “In these circumstances, let notice be issued to the Law Officer (Prisons) (HQ) to appear in person on 07.01.2023 at 2.00 PM. Let the Superintendents, Jail No.1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11 & 13 be also issued notice to appear in person on the next date.”

The matter will now be heard on January 7.