HYDERABAD, Jan 11: A convict, Khanu Machhi, reportedly inflicted injuries on his chest and abdomen by using a blade in security ward of the Central Prison here on Saturday.

Details of the incident could not be known. Machhi has been confined in solitary confinement after the incident.

Machhi is a prime witness in a murder case against former prison superintendent, Malik Altaf Awan, and his deputy, Aijaz Hyder, following custodial death of an under-trial prisoner, Mehmood Khoso on March 15, 2002.

A judicial investigation was ordered by the Sindh High Court in the custodial death of Khoso, which is being conducted by District and Sessions Judge, Hyderabad, Parkash Lal M. Ambwani. The investigation has not been finalized yet.

Both the prison officials were suspended by the IG, prisons, Sindh, Nisar Mahar.

When contacted, the DIG, prisons, Nawaz Hussain, denied that Machhi had suffered injuries. He, however, admitted that the prisoner had been confined in solitary confinement.

He said that Machhi was trying to blackmail the jail administration to avoid prosecution in the murder case of Khoso, who had quarrelled with Machhi before his death. Hussain said that Machhi claimed that he had been singled out in the case.