Delhi Riots Accused Student Gulfisha Fatima Alleges Mental Harassment In Jail

A 28-year-old student activist Gulfisha Fatima, who was arrested in connection with the conspiracy case of the Delhi riots, told a Delhi court on Monday that she is facing “mental and emotional harassment” by the Tihar jail authorities. The MBA graduate Fatima spoke to Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat of Karkardooma via video conference on 21 September and opened up about the alleged mistreatment.

An FIR was lodged against her on 9 April, related to the communal violence in northeast Delhi in February this year. Later, Fatima was taken into custody under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act on 18 April, along with other students Meeran Haider and Safoora Zargar. Fatima is not a member of Pinjra Tod, a women’s collective.

What did Fatima Say?

At the hearing, the accused student activist told the Judge that she has "a problem in jail", adding that "ever since I was brought here I have been constantly facing discrimination by the jail staff. They call me ‘educated terrorist.’ They tell me, 'you die inside, outside you have orchestrated riots,’” Huffington Post reported. Fatima, who was arrested for participating in the Jaffrabad protest, further reported that she was being subjected to communal slurs and discrimination by the staff in the jail as well.

“Mental and emotional harassment is still going on with me. If I will do anything, if I will hurt myself, only the jail authorities will be responsible for it,” Fatima further claimed.

The Judge asked Fatima’s lawyer to file an appeal before the court about this matter.

Also Read: Pinjra Tod Activist Natasha Narwal Gets Bail In Riots Case, But Still in Jail for Another

WhatsApp chats submitted as evidence

The court had earlier taken note of the submitted charge sheet, which includes 747 witnesses, and put up the case for hearing on October 3. The investigating police officers have submitted evidence to link Fatima and other arrested students to the case. "The evidence includes WhatsApp chats of February 24, the time when riots were happening. At that point, key conspirators were guiding their foot soldiers about violence in the area. The key conspirators were directly in touch with their foot soldiers," the police said.

It also indicates "WhatsApp groups were used by conspirators for "violence in Seelampur Jafrabad area. There were 25 protest sites. 25 WhatsApp groups were especially created for each. The impression was given that they were anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protest groups but through these sites conspirators were being guided." Delhi Police's Special cell noted. They also named Tahir Hussain, Khalid Saifi and Umar Khalid in the case and said that they had allegedly planned to carry out massive violence in the capital during US President Donald Trump's visit to Delhi.

Clashes that had broken out between February 23 and 26 in North East Delhi, killed 53 people and injured hundreds.

Also Read: Viral Video: Angry US Woman Slams India As Her Rapist Is Out On Bail

Feature Image Credit: Facebook

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