A tense situation unfolded at Delhi's Saket District Court on Thursday, June 5, 2025, when an undertrial prisoner, identified as Aman, was allegedly strangled to death inside the court's lock-up. The incident involved two other inmates, and preliminary investigations point towards a long-standing animosity as the primary motive.
According to reports, the altercation occurred within Kharja No. 5 of the Saket Court lock-up, where undertrial prisoners are temporarily held before their court appearances. Aman, who was himself facing trial for attempted murder, was awaiting his hearing when he was attacked by two fellow inmates, Jitender and Jaidev. Both Jitender and Jaidev were also lodged in Tihar Jail No. 8 and had been brought to Saket Court for their respective court proceedings.
The Delhi Police have stated that Jitender and Jaidev allegedly assaulted Aman. The police further revealed that the animosity between Jitender and Aman stemmed from an incident in 2024, when they were both outside of jail. During that prior incident, Aman allegedly attacked Jitender and his brother with a knife. This earlier assault appears to have fueled the attack within the court lock-up.
Following the assault, Aman sustained severe injuries and was immediately rushed to a hospital for medical attention. However, doctors declared him dead upon arrival. Authorities have sent the body for a post-mortem examination, and a murder case has been registered in connection with the incident.
The incident raises serious questions about security protocols within the court complex and the potential for violence within such holding areas. How such a violent attack could occur within a high-security zone, supposedly under police watch, is now a focal point of investigation. Authorities are probing potential lapses in security arrangements and protocols that may have contributed to the fatal incident.
The Saket Court complex has seen violent incidents in the past. In April 2023, a suspended lawyer allegedly opened fire inside the court premises, injuring a woman and a clerk. Such events underscore the challenges in maintaining security within court complexes, where tensions can run high and the presence of individuals with criminal backgrounds necessitates constant vigilance.
The investigation into Aman's death is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the exact sequence of events and identify any potential security breaches. The incident has prompted increased security measures at the Saket Court, with a heightened police presence and a review of existing protocols aimed at preventing future incidents of violence within the court's premises.
