The Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Prisons), Coimbatore Range, R. Arivudainambi, has asked for a detailed report from Salem Central Prison authorities on the charges of alleged attack on social activist Piyush Manush.

Mr. Manush and two others were arrested under non-bailable sections on July 8 when they tried to stage an agitation to halt work on a bridge at Muluvadi gate in Salem. While the two others were granted bail on July 14, it was denied to Mr. Manush. Monica Sethia, wife of Mr. Manush, told reporters on July 16 that her husband was brutally beaten up by prison security staff from day one of his remand. Prison sources said Mr. Arivudainambi has asked for a detailed report from the Salem Central Prison on the circumstances that led to charges of torture in custody.

Charge denied

However, prison officials denied the charge that Mr. Manush was tied up and beaten up by the security staff almost every day from day one. According to prison officials, visitors, including lawyers, friends, sisters and Ms. Sethia met and interacted with Mr. Manush from July 9.

“Had he been tortured from July 8, why are they levelling charges a week after that and that too after the two others got bail,” a prison official asked.