Telangana HC directs district judge to check well-being of jailed ‘Atheist’ Bairi Naresh

Hyderabad: A Telangana High Court Single Bench of Justice Bollam Vijaysen Reddy heard the plea of Bairi Naresh and his wife G. Sujatha on Tuesday. Last week, Mrs. Sujatha moved the High Court alleging her husband was being kept in solitary confinement by the Cherlapally jail authorities.

‘Atheist’ Bairi Naresh was arrested by the Telangana police on 31 December for making derogatory comments against Lord Ayyappa and other Hindu deities.

Earlier, the court had directed the petitioner’s counsel, D. Suresh Kumar, to meet the petitioner in Cherlapally jail, inquire about his condition, and submit a report. Mr. Suresh Kumar informed the court that he met Bairi Naresh in Cherlapally jail. He further said Bairi Naresh was kept in solitary confinement in Manasa barrack where usually 20 prisoners are lodged.

Counsel Suresh further informed the court that solitary confinement is for convicted prisoners and not for undertrials. Meanwhile, GP for Home (prisons) Samala Ravinder informed the judge that the allegations are vague and arbitrary and that Bairi Naresh is kept in Manasa barrack where undertrials are usually lodged.

In view of the threat to Bairi Naresh’s life, the jail authorities are very keen on his security, informed GP Ravinder. Additionally, in the last 20 days, the jail authorities have permitted six mulaqats with his family members and relatives. Bairi Naresh has free access to the canteen and has phone facility, GP Ravinder told the court.

Further, GP Ravinder informed the court that the jail authorities have agreed to move Bairi Naresh from Manasa Barack to any other barrack, except the Naxals barrack, that too, subject to the direction of the court. After hearing both sides, Justice Bollam Vijaysen Reddy directed the Medchal-Malkajgiri district court principal judge to assign a JFCM to inspect the well-being and conditions of Bairi Naresh in Cherlapally jail.

Further, if possible he may be shifted to another barrack, following the jail manual and rules, he said. Justice Bollam Vijaysen Reddy directed the principal district judge, Medchal-Malkajgiri court, to submit the report in the next hearing.

The matter will next come up on 31 January.