NEW DELHI: Sudhir Kumar alias Bitto, a TADA accused lodges in the ‘high security ward at Tihar Jail, has in an affidavit before the Leila Seth ‘Commission of Inquiry said that he has been an eyewitness as well as a participant in the inhuman torture of Rajan Pillai, the biscuit tycoon, who died in jail. The Commission is presently investigating the causes that led to Pilli’s death. He has said that he himself was forced to “kick, punch and slap” Pillai ‘by jail authorities. Pillai, who was in a weak condition, was also made to ‘sweep the floor of the cell ‘in which he was lodged.

Bitto has alleged that the’ former ‘Superintendent of jailNo.4, Dr. Ajay Single, asked him toextractRs40, 000 from Pillai. Bitto has alleged that he was repeatedly threatened by Dr. Singla to Keep his mouth shut and not dare depose before the Justice Seth commission, if he did so, further charges would be slapped against him, This Fas been mentioned i his affidavit also.

Even Ms. Nina Pillai in her deposition before the commission had said that she shelled out Rs 40,000 to Dr. Singla, to make life less harsh for Rajan Pillai. The money was ostensibly paid for “Medicare.”

‘The under trial has further said that the prime accused in hawala case, S.K. Jain who as presently lodged in ‘Tihar, distributed enormous amounts ‘of money to prison authorities in return for certain exclusive “facilities,” otherwise denied to lesser category prisoners. The ‘facilities’ include allowing the prisoner to walk out of the prison for some hours, sometimes for days.

It may be recalled that in letter to the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, another under trial, Anwar Ahmed, had said that Tihar tall gales were thrown open and convicts and under trials allowed to walk out on payment of a minimum of Rs 1 lakh.

Bitto has charged that the Jains had given nearly Re 40 lakhs to Dr. Ajay Singla, presently superintendent of jailNo.5. Dr. Singla was unceremoniously shunted out of jail No 4 after it ‘came to light that he was involved in malpractices, according to senior prison authorities. An accusing finger has been pointed at two other jail officials. They are Mr. Mahavir Singh and Mr. Bachchan Majhi, the Deputy Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Jail Nod, respectively, Bittoo has accused Mr. Majhi of beating Pillai with iron rods.

Article extracted from this publication >>  February 21, 1996