Prison department to submit report in a week

Mumbai: Amid allegations being levelled against DIG (prisons) Swati Sathe of putting out biased messages in support of the six arrested jail staffers, the prison department officials said that they will submit its report on possible lapses in Byculla women’s jail in a week to the state government.

The inquiry began after inmate Manju Shetye was allegedly brutally murdered inside the women’s prison.

The inquiry focuses on the possible mishandling of the situation and the reason of prisoners going out of control. The inquiry, which is being conducted by Ms Sathe, will focus on the lines of rules and regulations in the jail manual.

On June 25 after the inmate’s death, rioting and arson was witnessed in Byculla women’s prison. The statements of the inmates and their complaints against the prison officials and staffers are being taken into consideration, sources said.

“The report will be ready in seven days and it will be submitted,” said BK Upadhyay, additional director general (prisons). When asked if any of the findings till date have revealed any lapses on the part of the prison staffers, Mr Upadhyay added, “We will know if there were any lapses inside the prison only after the inquiry is complete and the report is compiled.”

Following allegations that sexual assault on Shetye by the arrested jail staffers, the state’s women commission formed a special task force (SIT) to conduct a separate probe into the incident.

The team comprises of former state DGP Pravin Dixit, who cracked down on corruption among the government staffers while he headed the state’s Anti-corruption bureau (ACB).

Other members in the SIT are retired justice Anand Nirgude and a representative from nonprofit Anjali Deshpande.

The three-member SIT will conduct a third party probe into the incidents inside the women’s prison.