Sadhvi Pragya assaulted

Sadhvi Pragya was assaulted by a fellow inmate at Byculla Jail and sustained injuries to
her face, nose and neck.

Pragya's advocate G. Sovani said that he had moved an application before the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court, seeking to file a private complaint in the matter.

Additional Session Judge M.R. Puranik of the MCOCA court granted her plea. She plans to file a complaint before the Mazagaon Metropolitan Court on Wednesday.

According to Sovani, on March 26 Sadhvi Pragya had been admitted to the Sir J.J. Hospital for treatment. After her discharge April 15, she was shifted to the Byculla Jail.

The following day, an inmate in the jail, Mumtaz Sheikh, abused her in foul language and even threatened to throw her out of the prison, Sovani claimed.

Mumtaz, detained under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act, repeated her behaviour following which Sadhvi Pragya complained to the jailor.

On Monday, while the inmates were proceeding for lunch, Mumtaz assaulted her with a food bowl. Sovani said his client sustained minor injuries on the face, nose and neck, compelling her to lodge an assault complaint.