Gujarat: Sabarmati Jail inmates beat Ricin plot terror suspect; police say they tried to ‘flaunt patriotism’

New Delhi: Tensions escalated inside the Sabarmati Central Jail after an unprecedented attack was carried out on a terror-accused prisoner by three inmates. The individual, identified as Syed Ahmed Mohiuddin Abdul Qader Jilani (40), had been transferred to the Ahmedabad facility just a day earlier.

The attack occurred shortly after Jilani, accused of planning a castor seeds ricin terror plot was brought to the jail under judicial custody. The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) had arrested him along with two others.

According to reports, Jilani, who hails from Hyderabad in Telangana, sustained facial injuries. One inmate, identified as Nilesh Sharma, allegedly struck him brutally on the nose and eyes. Two other inmates were also involved, though police have not yet revealed their identities.

Sharma and the others reportedly launched a sudden attack on Jilani to "flaunt their patriotism.” Other inmates intervened and managed to rescue Jilani from the assault. He was immediately taken to the jail dispensary for treatment. The incident has raised serious questions about the safety and security protocols inside the prison.

A senior investigating officer noted that the attack may have been pre-planned. "How did they know about Jilani’s offence? Was it a guided attack, or did someone from the jail inform them? We are looking into these issues,” the officer said. To probe the matter further, Ranip police have lodged an FIR, The Times of India reported.

Jilani, along with two accomplices, was arrested by the Gujarat ATS last week for allegedly plotting a terror attack. The team recovered ricin, a highly lethal toxin extracted from castor seeds. The accused were caught following a month-long surveillance operation and intelligence inputs.