On July 2, Sathe had posted three messages appealing to prison staffers from across the state in a WhatsApp group called 'Maharashtra Karagruha'.
The Maharashtra prisons department was left red-faced on Thursday when it came to light that Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Prisons Swati Sathe, who is conducting a departmental inquiry into the death of convict Manjula Shetye allegedly at the hands of Byculla jail staff, had sent messages seeking support for the six arrested prison staff from their colleagues in the department on a WhatsApp group, and expressing solidarity with the accused.
On July 2, Sathe had posted three messages appealing to prison staffers from across the state in a WhatsApp group called 'Maharashtra Karagruha'.
In the messages sent by Sathe on the group, Sathe appealed to her colleagues in the prisons department to support the arrested staffers, and raise funds for them by contributing Rs 500 or Rs 1,000 each.
Sathe's messages came to light after former Thane Jail Superintendent Hiralal Jadhav, who has been suspended on molestation charges, and who was also part of the WhatsApp group, sent a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, with screenshots of the messages.
CM Fadnavis has demanded action against her.
In his letter, Jadhav has asked the CM to take strict action against Sathe, and others, for appealing to others to support the accused and for raising funds for them.
In one of the messages, Sathe said, "Our six colleagues have been arrested by the police, and have been remanded to police custody till July 7. I hope now media will be happy. I am sad and upset."
Another message reads, "Dhamne sir, Desai sir, we all prison staff, workers and officers should support our sisters. Please help all'
When nobody replied to Sathe's message, she shot another message, "At least say yes, after reading."
"When I read the messages I was surprised about how such a senior official is supporting the murder accused. I have sent a complaint letter to the CM office. I hope the necessary action would be taken against the officers. There are so many other messages in which others are supporting Sathe and the accused. This matter, too, should be probed by the Crime Branch," Harilal Jadhav told DNA.
When contacted, Sathe did not comment.
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