Karnataka: My son beaten, can't stand, walk, says traumatised father

Belagavi: While the Prisons Department is desperately trying to cover up the brutal attack carried out by Parappana Agrahara jail officials on inmate Ananth Murthy for informing DIG D Roopa about irregularities, it has come to light on Thursday that the prisoner had sustained serious injuries and may be unable to lead a normal life.

After meeting his injured son at Hindalga Central Prison in Belagavi on Thursday, Murthy's father Ramachandra said the Parappana Agrahara jail officials had carried out a 'murderous attack' on his son. He sustained grievous injuries in the groin and had blood clots all over the body, he added.

A weeping Ramachadra, who had come from Chikkamagaluru along with two relatives, said the injuries were so dreadful that he may not be able to walk or lead a normal life even if he came out of the jail.

My son showed the injuries which he had received after being beaten up by the officials and said he was attacked for exposing the truth. Murthy had also questioned the jail officials as to why his name was dropped from the list of prisoners, released for their good conduct from Parappana Agrahara. He was also upset as the Prisons Department was not in favour of granting him a parole even as he had almost completed his jail term,'' said Ramachandra. Murthy reportedly told his father that around 13 inmates were attacked by jail officials for the same issue.

An injured Murthy had to be carried by the jail staff to the office of Hindalga superintendent, located on the first floor, when his father came to meet him. He could not climb the stairs on his own.

Shocked at Murthy’s deteriorating health, Ramachandra and his relatives urged the government to initiate a high-level inquiry to expose the irregularities and brutalities carried out by Parappana Agrahara officers. His relative Gopal Gowda said the attack on Murthy should be investigated by higher authorities.

Two other fellow prisoners of Murthy, who too were shifted to Hindalga along with him, had sustained grievous injuries in the attack and they too were not in a position to walk normally.

However, Ramachandra expressed satisfaction at the treatment being given to his son by doctors at Hindalga jail's clinic. He urged the Hindalga officials to ensure a better treatment to Murthy, so that he was able to lead a normal life later.

He also confirmed that his son was taken to a private hospital in Belagavi city as the nature of his injuries was critical and could not be attended by jail doctors.