New Delhi: Indian Mujahideen (IM) co-founder Yasin Bhatkal, allegedly involved in numerous terror attacks across the country, on Wednesday complained in a court here that there is threat to his life as Tihar Jail officials are treating him and his accomplice “even worse than animals”.

Bhatkal and his close associate Asadullah Akhtar has moved an application before district judge IS Mehta at Patiala House court here requesting him to issue direction to the director general, Tihar Jail, to ensure proper security and safety to them inside the prison premises.

Arrested by the National Investigation Agency in August 2013, Bhatkal is lodged in the Tihar Jail along with Akhtar.

“The superintendent of Tihar Jail has threatened the Akhtar and Bhatkal that they would be killed in jail. The attitude and behaviour of jail authorities towards the accused is abusive and they are being treated even worse than animals,” the duo’s defence counsel MS Khan told the court.

Khan contended there was apprehension that some untoward incident may take place with his clients. Jail authorities has refused him to have an interview with his clients in jail premises, he added.

The court has posted the matter for January 17 for further hearing the matter and asked the jail authorities to file a reply on the complaint.