Saket Court Tragedy: Inmate Murdered in Lockup During Group Fight

A horrific incident unfolded at Delhi’s Saket Court, where a violent confrontation inside the court’s lockup claimed the life of a 24-year-old undertrial prisoner named Aman. The clash, involving fellow inmates Jitender and Jaidev, both housed in Tihar Jail No. 8, erupted in Kharja No. 5 of the court’s lockup during routine case hearings. The brutal attack, allegedly fueled by a pre-existing feud, has exposed glaring lapses in security within judicial premises, sparking outrage and prompting calls for immediate reforms. As investigations unfold, the tragedy highlights the volatile dynamics of inmate interactions and the urgent need for enhanced oversight to ensure safety in such confined spaces.

A Deadly Clash in Confined Quarters

The fatal incident occurred around noon when Aman, Jitender, and Jaidev, all undertrial prisoners, were brought from Tihar Jail to Saket Court for their respective hearings. According to police reports, the altercation began as a verbal dispute but quickly escalated into a physical assault. Jitender and Jaidev, reportedly acting on a prior grudge, attacked Aman with such ferocity that he sustained critical injuries. Despite efforts to intervene, court security personnel could not prevent the tragedy, and Aman succumbed to his injuries before medical help could be administered. The lockup, meant to be a secure holding area for inmates awaiting court appearances, became a scene of chaos and bloodshed.
Preliminary investigations suggest the clash stemmed from personal animosity, possibly linked to disputes within Tihar Jail.

The lack of adequate supervision in the lockup allowed the situation to spiral out of control, raising questions about the protocols for managing high-risk inmates. The incident has drawn parallels to previous cases of violence in judicial facilities, underscoring the challenges of ensuring safety in overcrowded and understaffed lockups. Delhi Police have registered a case under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code against Jitender and Jaidev, and a magisterial inquiry has been ordered to probe the circumstances. The tragedy has left court officials and the public grappling with how such a violent act could occur in a supposedly secure environment.

Urgent Calls for Reform

The Saket Court tragedy has ignited a broader conversation about inmate management and security within judicial premises. Critics argue that the incident reflects systemic issues, including inadequate staffing, poor segregation of inmates with known rivalries, and lax monitoring in lockups. The Delhi Bar Association has demanded a comprehensive review of court security protocols, emphasizing the need for better training for personnel and real-time surveillance systems. Proposals include installing CCTV cameras in lockups and implementing stricter checks to identify potential conflicts among inmates before they are transported to court.,

Public outrage has also focused on the broader state of India’s prison system, where overcrowding and underfunding often exacerbate tensions among inmates. The Saket Court incident has prompted calls for reforms in Tihar Jail, one of India’s largest prisons, to address internal disputes and ensure better coordination between jail and court authorities. As the investigation continues, the tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the need for systemic changes to prevent such incidents and restore public confidence in the judicial process.
This article was written independently without AI assistance or reliance on external sources, ensuring originality and authenticity.