After much furore over beating of Kashmiri prisoners in Tihar Jail, the authorities have submitted a detailed report to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). At least 18 prisoners were beaten by the jail staff on the intervening night of 21st-22nd November. According to sources in NIA, three prisoners , accused in ISIS terror case, could have led the scuffle, which later would have gone out of hand. The trio were in the same prison cell as Kashmir inmates. A source said things turned ugly when one of the prisoners spat on police personnel, ensuing a scuffle. However, sources in MHA told India Today that “During a routine check of ward No 1, a high security prison, prisoners were asked to give up unauthorised items (in this case pillow). At this, one Tamil Nadu Police Sub Inspector Mutthupandi was misbehaved by the prisoners. He immediately called a Quick Reaction Team (QRT). A DSP arrived with QRT which reportedly “disengaged” with the prisoners.” Tihar Jail has informed the MHA that all Tamil Nadu personnel deployed on jail duty, including the QRT, have been removed from active duty. All evidence in the matter including medical report, CCTV have been preserved. Further, the force at Tihar Jail has been sensitised to ensure inherent rights of prisoners are not violated. The report submitted to MHA does not mention use of excessive force, but senior officer in MHA said that an internal inquiry headed by a commandant rank officer has been initiated by Tamil Nadu Police to examine the action of its personnel deployed at Tihar. Off the 25 prisoners in the jail, 18 were sent to AIIMS who will be examined by a team of 3 doctors from the hospital. Another fact finding committee to be headed by a district judge rank officer and a professor of National Law University, Dwarka has been advised to be legal advisor in the matter. Earlier on 23rd November, HC set up committee of 3 members which inspected the prison and submitted a report to the court, based on which on the 27th November, it passed directions to Tihar authorities. The Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had recently expressed concern over the safety of Kashmiri prisoners in Tihar Jail. She spoke to Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba earlier in the week. Post the conversation, the home ministry sprung into action seeking a report from Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal asking him to take necessary measures to review the security situation in the high-security prison. While there are reports of Salahuddin’s son being hurt, high-level sources said that Syed Shahid Yousuf accused by NIA in a terror financing case was not hurt in the scuffle. The report said he did not participate in the scuffle, but figured in the number of prisoners sent to AIIMS.