'CCTV doesn't show assault on Delhi gang rape accused'

Almost two weeks after a December 16 gang rape accused claimed that he was assaulted by Tihar inmates leading to a fractured hand, a fast-track court on Wednesday said no such incident is seen in the CCTV footage provided by the jail authorities.

"I have examined the CCTV footage provided by the jail superintendent of Tihar jail qua allegation of beating made to accused Vinay Sharma.

"No such alleged incident is seen in the said CCTV footage," Additional Sessions Judge Yogesh Khanna said.

The judge passed the order after viewing the CCTV footage provided by the superintendent of Jail number 7, where the Vinay is lodged at present, after the accused appeared before the court with a fractured hand on April 5 and pleaded that he should not be sent back to Tihar.

Vinay's counsel A P Singh had then told the court that he was badly beaten up by cell inmates. The jail officials had, however, refuted the allegations that the accused was attacked in jail and claimed he was injured during a fight with one of the co-accused Akshay Singh in the van while returning to the prison from court.

The court, which has till date recorded statement of 65 prosecution witnesses took note of the conduct of the counsel of accused Mukesh, M L Sharma who failed to appear before the court and was granted "last opportunity" to cross examine the prosecution witnesses.

The court also inquired from Mukesh if he wanted to have a counsel from a legal aid, but he refused.

While doing so the judge also considered appointing an amicus curiae, who could assist the court in absence of defence counsel so as to avoid any delay in the trial.