‘Atheist’ Bairi Naresh’s wife moves HC, alleges torture by jail authorities

Hyderabad: A Telangana High Court Single Bench comprising Justice Bollam Vijaysen Reddy on Friday heard the writ petition filed by G. Sujatha, wife of Bairi Naresh. She has alleged that her husband is being kept in solitary confinement by the Cherlapally jail authorities.

Moreover, Bairi Naresh was harassed and tortured by the jail authorities, she alleged, and said the police department should transfer all cases to one police station. ‘Atheist’ Bairi Naresh was arrested by the Telangana police on 31 December for making derogatory comments against Lord Ayyappa and other Hindu deities.

Counsel for the petitioner, D. Suresh Kumar, informed the court that Bairi Naresh has been kept in solitary confinement at Cherlapally jail for the past 14 days. Neither has he been produced before the court nor provided the video conference facility that is available for prosecution.

Mr. Suresh Kumar further submitted that Bairi Naresh should be shifted to another jail from Cherlapally or to some other barrack.

Justice Bollam Vijaysen Reddy directed GP for prisons Samala Ravinder to instruct the prison authorities concerned and shift Bairi Naresh.

Later, Samala Ravinder informed the court that Bairi Naresh is safe in the jail. He has been kept in Manasa Barrack in Cherlapally jail with other under-trial prisoners. Moreover, Bairi Naresh is charged with bailable offences though he is not opting for bail due to the threat to his life, informed the GP for prisons.

Justice Bollam Vijaysen Reddy asked if Bairi Naresh can be temporarily kept in another barrack. He directed the petitioner’s counsel to confirm the details of Bairi Naresh's conditions in the jail within three days.

The matter was adjourned to 23 January.