NCP wants senior jail officials to be suspended

Mumbai: The Nationalist Congress Party has demanded the suspension of senior jail officers  over allegations related to sexual exploitation of several women employees in jails by a senior jail administration officer. An alleged letter by a female jail superintendent to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis about her and other colleagues’ sexual exploitation by a senior officer is in circulation in the power corridors. Nawab Malik, chief spokesperson of NCP demanded suspension of Bhushan Upadhyay, Rajwardhan and DIG, prisons, Swati Sathe for not being prompt in handling such a sensitive issue under them.

An alleged letter written by a jail superintendent of one of the districts of Maharashtra is in circulation in power corridors. This letter is addressed to CM Fadnavis.

That woman officer is alleging that one of the senior officers has exploited her sexually. The lady officer even further wrote that the officer also promised her marriage but later he cheated.

After noting down her story, the lady officer has even further alleged that the said male officer has similar relations with 60 to 70 women workers in different jails on different posts. The lady officer has requested CM Fadnavis to investigate the matter thoroughly.

Mr Malik raised the issue of this letter by saying that it the was responsibility of Mr Upadhyay, Mr Rajwardhan and Ms Sathe to prevent this from happening. “But the way they are handling the issue shows that they are not right for their psots. CM Fadnavis must suspend them immediately,” said Mr Malik.

NCP leader even further said that by demanding action on this issue publicly, Sena leader Neelam Gorhe damaged the case.

“We too were in custody of this letter. But we were waiting for CM Fadnavis to take action in the matter. That lady officer had requested to set trap over that male officer. But by making this case public, Ms Gorhe damaged the case, unfortunately,” said Mr Malik.

Sources from Home Ministry told that CM’s action would forward the letter to Additional Chief Secretary as the issue is very sensitive and ACS may ask Additional DG level officer to investigate the matter.