1 Accused Brutally Strangled by 2 Inmates Inside Delhi’s Saket Court Lock-Up – Alarming Security Breach Sparks Nationwide Outrage
Accused Strangled to Death Inside Delhi’s Saket Court Lock-Up: Custodial Murder Sparks Serious Security Concerns
In a deeply troubling incident that has raised serious questions about prisoner safety and lock-up security protocols within India’s judicial infrastructure, a 24-year-old undertrial prisoner was allegedly strangled to death by fellow inmates inside the lock-up of Delhi’s Saket District Court. The incident occurred on the morning of June 6, 2025, while the deceased, identified as Aman, was brought to the court for a routine hearing related to his ongoing trial in an attempted murder case.
The Incident
According to Delhi Police, Aman was inside the court’s designated lock-up—Kharja No. 5—alongside several other undertrial prisoners when he was suddenly and violently attacked. The two accused, identified as Jitender alias Jitte and Jaidev alias Baccha, reportedly cornered Aman and proceeded to strangle him in what investigators believe was a premeditated act of revenge.
The incident unfolded just minutes after all the undertrial prisoners had been brought into the court premises from their respective jails for production before the judges. On-duty personnel at the Saket court complex were alerted by shouts from inside the lock-up. However, by the time help arrived, Aman had sustained critical injuries. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Background and Motive
Preliminary investigations by the South Delhi Police suggest that the fatal assault was not a spontaneous act, but rather the culmination of a long-standing enmity between Aman and the attackers. Deputy Commissioner of Police (South), Ankit Chauhan, confirmed that Aman had a violent history involving the two accused. In 2024, Aman allegedly assaulted Jitender and his brother in a knife attack during an earlier altercation. This past encounter appears to have ignited a vendetta that persisted and ultimately escalated while the men were all held in judicial custody.
The accused, Jitender and Jaidev, reportedly waited for an opportune moment to exact revenge, taking advantage of the temporary proximity in the court lock-up. The fact that such a brutal act could be carried out within the confines of a secure judicial facility has raised alarm bells among legal professionals, law enforcement agencies, and human rights advocates.
Legal Proceedings and Police Action
Delhi Police has registered a case of murder against the accused under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. Forensic and medical examinations are underway, and the body has been sent to AIIMS for post-mortem. A special investigative team (SIT) has been formed to probe the matter further, including examining whether there were any lapses on part of the escorting police personnel or court security staff.
“We are conducting a detailed inquiry into the incident, and all aspects—including potential security lapses, staff negligence, and procedural flaws—are being investigated thoroughly,” said DCP Chauhan.
Senior officials from the Delhi Prisons Department have also been informed, and internal departmental reviews are being initiated to identify the breakdown in custodial oversight.
Security Failures Under Scrutiny
The murder of an undertrial prisoner inside a courtroom lock-up has reignited concerns over the security arrangements in India’s judicial complexes, particularly in high-volume courts like Saket. The Delhi High Court is likely to take note of the incident given its potential implications for judicial proceedings and the safety of those in state custody.
Legal experts have expressed dismay at the failure to prevent such an incident. “Custodial safety is a fundamental duty of the state. If prisoners are not safe inside judicial premises, then it is a grave indictment of our criminal justice system,” said advocate Sunita Bhardwaj, a senior lawyer who practices in Delhi’s district and high courts.
There is growing concern that this incident may not be isolated. Overcrowding, understaffing, and inadequate training of court security personnel have frequently been cited as reasons for such lapses. In many instances, lock-ups are staffed by a skeletal number of constables who are required to oversee dozens of undertrial prisoners, many of whom have ongoing rivalries or gang affiliations.
Judicial and Political Reactions
While no official statement had been released by the judiciary at the time of filing this report, several legal professionals within the Saket court premises called for urgent reforms. Some suggested the need for physical barriers or isolation mechanisms within lock-ups to prevent hostile individuals from being housed together.
“This case should serve as a wake-up call. We need better surveillance, possibly even real-time camera monitoring of lock-ups. More importantly, risk assessments must be carried out before grouping inmates, especially those known to have violent pasts or inter-prison rivalries,” said Rajeev Singh, a public prosecutor in Delhi.
Human rights organizations, including the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), have condemned the incident, labelling it an “institutional failure.” A spokesperson from the PUCL stated: “Every person in custody is under the direct protection of the state. If someone is murdered inside a courtroom lock-up, it indicates that basic custodial safeguards have collapsed.”
Broader Implications for Custodial Safety
This incident adds to the growing list of custodial deaths in India—many of which are not due to police brutality, but due to negligence or failure to protect prisoners from one another. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), over 100 deaths in judicial custody were reported in 2023, with a significant number attributed to assaults by fellow inmates.
The custodial murder at Saket is expected to catalyze policy debates around the treatment of undertrial prisoners, particularly regarding their safety during court proceedings. Many criminal justice reform advocates are now calling for the implementation of a nationwide protocol that mandates:
- Segregation of inmates with known hostilities
- Installation of CCTV cameras inside court lock-ups
- Real-time monitoring by designated control rooms
- Mandatory frisking and chain-of-custody checks for all inmates
- Enhanced police-to-prisoner ratios during transfers
Additionally, there is also a demand to leverage technology such as GPS-tracked electronic escorts or even virtual hearings to reduce the physical movement of high-risk undertrials.
Profile of the Deceased
Aman, aged 24, was a resident of Govindpuri in South Delhi. He was facing trial in a case related to an attempted murder filed against him in 2023. According to police sources, he was associated with a local criminal network and had multiple FIRs registered against him. Despite his criminal history, legal experts argue that Aman was still entitled to safety and due process under the Constitution.
“He was undertrial, not convicted. That distinction matters. He was entitled to a fair trial, and now that opportunity has been permanently denied,” said criminal defense lawyer Pratik Jain.
Aman’s family has been informed, and a statement from them is expected after the post-mortem. Police have provided security around their residence in anticipation of tensions with the families of the accused.
Institutional Response Awaited
At the time of writing, the Delhi High Court was yet to issue a suo moto notice or take cognizance of the case. However, sources suggest that an administrative review may be ordered soon by the registrar of the Delhi district courts.
The Delhi Police Commissioner has also sought a detailed report on the incident, including recommendations for immediate rectification of any systemic flaws.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s prison department has initiated its own departmental probe into how Jitender and Jaidev—both reportedly known for violent tendencies—were allowed to be placed in the same lock-up as Aman, despite their known history of conflict.
Conclusion
The custodial murder inside Saket Court has sent shockwaves across the legal and law enforcement community in Delhi. It reflects the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of the processes governing the handling of undertrial prisoners, especially during inter-facility movement and court appearances.
Beyond being a singular act of violence, the incident symbolizes a breakdown in the protective mechanisms that are supposed to function at the heart of India’s justice system. For now, the focus remains on ensuring justice for Aman and accountability for those responsible—not just the attackers, but also those whose negligence may have made the tragedy possible.
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