Denied his Koran, prisoner goes on hunger strike

According to reports, Gabbar was produced before the 12th Bench of the City Sessions Court on May 20. ‘‘When he returned from court, Gabbar was carrying a copy of the Koran and some addictives like paan masala. We seized them,’’ confirmed IG (Prison) Joydeb Chakraborty.

The same day, Gabbar went on a hunger strike to protest against the confiscation of the holy book. Chakraborty said Gabbar was refusing solid food but taking ‘‘glucose and other liquids’’.

While jail sources said some other Muslim prisoners had joined Gabbar, Chakraborty denied it.

Gabbar’s counsel claimed that the jail authorities’ act amounted to ‘‘violation of Gabbar’s rights as a prisoner enshrined in Sections 49 and 79 of the Correctional Home Services Act, 1992.’’

But Chakraborty countered: ‘‘On his return from court, Gabbar is not allowed to bring any of these things. We are providing Koran for prayers to all inmates who ask for them. He also has the provision of receiving a Koran from someone like his relative who may come to meet him. But he cannot get a Koran inside the jail this way.’’

Imam argued: ‘‘According to Section 79 under ‘Rights of the Prisoners’, Gabbar should be allowed to read Koran. And taking his own copy inside the jail does not break any rules.’’

According to him, ‘‘Section 79 also has provisions which states that each prisoner should be allowed to profess his own religion and perform his religious rites. Reading Koran is very much part of Gabbar’s religious rites and the jail authorities cannot deny that right.’’

Earlier too, Gabbar — sentenced for life in one case— had moved a writ petition before the Calcutta High Court saying his rights as a prisoner were violated. The case is expected to come up for hearing after the summer vacation.