Indian Mujahideen (IM) co-founder Yasin Bhatkal, arrested for his alleged involvement in various terror strikes across India, today claimed before a court in New Delhi  that he is being treated "worse than an animal" in Tihar Jail and not provided proper food in the holy month of Ramzan.

Bhatkal, who was produced before the court today, claimed this before Additional Sessions Judge Raj Kapoor who directed Tihar Jail authorities to file a report on it on July 23.

In his application, Bhatkal alleged that he is presently lodged in Jail No.2 of the high security prison.

He claimed that he "has been kept in solitary confinement and is not allowed to move out from his cell and has not seen the sunlight except during his transportation for the purpose of production before the court."

"The applicant (Bhatkal) is observing fast as this is the holy month of Ramzan and he is not provided timely and proper food," the application, filed through advocate M S Khan, said.

Bhatkal also claimed that he was being "treated even worse than an animal" and he was not having access to fresh air.