In a shocking incident that unfolded on the premises of the Saket District Court in New Delhi on Thursday, 5 June, a 24-year-old undertrial prisoner named Aman was allegedly strangled to death by two fellow inmates inside the court’s detention lock-up, intensifying concerns over the security of individuals in judicial custody.
The incident took place inside Kharja No. 5, a section of the Saket Court lock-up, which was housing several undertrial prisoners at the time.
Aman had been brought from jail to the court complex for a scheduled court appearance when the assault occurred.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (South), Ankit Chauhan, Aman was attacked by two inmates identified as Jitender and Jaidev, both of whom were also under judicial custody and present in the same lock-up area.
The attack was reportedly sudden and intense, with Jitender and Jaidev overpowering Aman and strangling him in full view of other detainees.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the motive behind the murder was rooted in a longstanding personal enmity between Aman and Jitender.
Police sources revealed that the two had a violent history dating back to an earlier confrontation that occurred in 2024, outside the confines of jail.
During that incident, Aman had allegedly attacked Jitender and his brother with a knife, leaving them injured. It appears that the bitterness from that event continued to fester, ultimately culminating in Thursday’s fatal encounter.
“The animosity between the two individuals appears to have endured and intensified while they were in judicial custody, ultimately erupting in this violent act,” said DCP Chauhan in an official statement.
Following the assault, Aman, a resident of Govindpuri, was found to have sustained serious injuries. He was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for emergency medical treatment.
However, despite medical efforts, Aman was declared dead during treatment, the police confirmed.
The deceased’s body has since been sent for post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause and nature of the injuries.
Meanwhile, authorities have initiated a case of murder under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, and a detailed investigation is currently underway.
Court officials and law enforcement are now also looking into how such an act of violence could take place inside a secure facility like the court lock-up, raising pressing questions about prisoner supervision, safety protocols, and the overall security mechanism in place during court proceedings.
Additional inquiries are being made to determine whether negligence or procedural lapses contributed to the incident, and if any preventive steps could have been taken to avoid such a deadly outcome.
