Koda files police complaint, goes on fast, to move rights commission

Ranchi: Jailed former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda today threatened to move the human rights commission claiming police did not register his complaint of assault in jail and went on a fast in protest.

"After I get well, I will move the human rights commission against the inhuman treatment meted out to me and other prisoners. The food given to prisoners of the general ward is inedible," he told reporters at the hospital where he has was admitted after the incident yesterday.

"It is unfortunate that the police have not yet lodged FIR though I filed the complaint last night," he said.

Koda was admitted to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences yesterday where an X-ray ascertained a fracture in his right hand.

He would remain under observation for a few days, its director Tuli Mahto said.

Koda went on fast demanding a judicial inquiry into yesterday's incident and better food for prisoners.

When Assembly Speaker C P Singh went to meet him, the former chief minister told him in the presence of the media, "I have not eaten since yesterday. I will end my fast after authorities accept my demand for a judicial inquiry into yesterday's incident and assure better food for general prisoners."

The district administration had yesterday said that Koda was allegedly beaten up by other prisoners, while the Lok Sabha member alleged he was beaten up by prison guards with batons.

Koda said about 30 prisoners, including former Cabinet colleagues Enos Ekka and Harinaryan Rai, were also continuing a dharna inside the Birsa Munda Central Jail.

Asked whether prisoners were still on fast in the jail as claimed by Koda, an official said jail superintendent Dilip Pradhan had instructed them not to speak to the media. Pradhan's mobile was inaccessible.