Mangaluru: An undertrial prisoner lodged at the Mangaluru district prison after being arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act was allegedly assaulted and threatened by fellow inmates, prompting an internal inquiry and a police investigation.
The victim has been identified as Ahmad Shabith, an accused in an MDMA supply case registered in the city. The alleged assailants are fellow undertrial prisoners Moyiddin Faraz, Arafath Ali, Paresh, Mohammed Mustafa and Safwan, prison and police sources said.
Arrest and remand under NDPS Act
According to officials, Ahmad Shabith was arrested by the Kankanady city police in connection with an MDMA supply case and was later remanded to judicial custody by the Second Additional District and Sessions Court. Following the court order, he was lodged at the Mangaluru district prison on December 14.
At around 5.20 pm on the same day, Shabith was accommodated in Room No. 2 of Section ‘A’ of the prison, which houses undertrial prisoners. Prison authorities stated that all standard admission procedures were followed at the time of lodging him in the ward.
Incident inside the prison ward
The incident reportedly occurred at around 5.55 pm. Mohammed Harshad, another undertrial prisoner housed in Room No. 4 of Section ‘A’, was escorting Shabith from Room No. 2 to Room No. 4 on the upper floor, as part of internal movement within the prison.
During this movement, Shabith was allegedly attacked by a group of undertrial prisoners, identified as Moyiddin Faraz, Arafath Ali, Paresh, Mohammed Mustafa and Safwan. The accused inmates are said to have assaulted him physically and issued threats to his life, causing panic within the ward.
The exact motive behind the assault is not yet known, and police are investigating whether it was triggered by personal enmity, previous disputes, or other factors related to the prison environment.
Intervention by prison staff
On-duty prison staff intervened promptly after noticing the commotion. They managed to separate the inmates and shifted Shabith out of the ward to prevent further harm. Prison officials stated that timely intervention helped avoid more serious injuries.
Shabith was immediately taken to Wenlock Hospital for medical examination and treatment. After receiving treatment, he was brought back to the prison and lodged separately to ensure his safety, sources said.
Inquiry by prison authorities
Following the incident, prison superintendent Sharanabasappa conducted a preliminary inquiry into the assault. Statements were reportedly recorded from prison staff and inmates who were present at the time of the incident.
Based on the findings of the internal inquiry, the superintendent lodged a formal complaint with the Barke police station, seeking legal action against the accused inmates. Prison authorities have also reviewed security arrangements and internal movement protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Police register case, probe underway
The Barke police have registered a case based on the complaint and have taken up further investigation. Police officials said they are examining CCTV footage from the prison premises, recording statements of witnesses, and verifying the sequence of events leading to the assault.
Officials added that appropriate sections of the law will be invoked against the accused inmates if the allegations are substantiated. The police are also coordinating with prison authorities to ensure the safety of undertrial prisoners and maintain discipline within the prison.
Conclusion
The incident has raised concerns over inmate safety and internal security at the Mangaluru district prison, particularly involving undertrial prisoners. Authorities have assured that strict action will be taken against those responsible, and additional measures will be implemented to prevent violence within the prison. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are awaited as the probe progresses.