Congress-NCP government didn't act against Nagpur jailer: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis

Following opposition's attack on his government over Tuesday's jail-break incident in Nagpur, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday alleged that the previous government had not taken action against the jailer despite receiving several complaints.

Maharashtra Legislative Council today witnessed uproar as the opposition alleged "complete failure" of the BJP-Shiv Sena government in handling sensitive criminal cases. Fadnavis also announced that henceforth the government would give no relief to those charged under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Slumlords, Bootleggers, Drug Offenders and Dangerous Persons Act (MPDA).

Earlier, the upper house was adjourned five times before the chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar accepted the opposition's demand to discuss the worsening law and order situation. Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde slammed the state over the escape of five prisoners from Nagpur Central jail.

"Noted criminals like those responsible for the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts and the Pune bakery blast and dons like Arun Gawli are lodged in this jail. I agree that this jail was built during the British times, but it does not mean we should not upgrade the security apparatus," said the NCP leader, adding that it was most unfortunate that a prisoner was able to cut the iron bars of the barrack.

"This jail has become the best rest-house for prisoners. As in 5-star hotels, you can order anything here, from alcohol to gutka to charas and ganja. You spoke a lot on the increasing conviction rate, but what about keeping inside those convicted?" Munde asked Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio.

"Women are getting raped while police themselves too aren't safe. In the CM's own constituency, the police do not register a case for full four hours when a girl comes to register a complaint at 11 PM. How bad can the situation get?" he said.

In his reply, Fadnavis hit back, pointing out that Nagpur jail superintendent Vaibhav Kamble, who was suspended after yesterday's incident, had 51 complaints against him in the last one year, but the Congress-NCP government took no action.

"This incident could not have happened without inside help. We suspended Kamble immediately. But there were 51 complaints against this man in the last one year. Tell us why did the previous government not take any action," the CM said.

"Mobile phone jammers were being deliberately blocked. But again, there was no action. Now the director general of anti-corruption bureau is looking into this incident. A committee headed by him has been asked to file a report by the end of April. The lapses on the part of jail authorities, the previous complaints where no action was taken against them and the rules of the jail manual that have been flouted in the past too will be covered in this inquiry," Fadnavis added.

He also said the state government had decided not to review the cases of those arrested under the MPDA. Referring to a case of firing in Nagpur, Fadnavis said the attackers Sardar brothers had earlier been arrested under the MPDA, but the charges under the act were later dropped after a hearing at the state government-level.

"State government should not favour such criminals and we have decided that the state will not review cases of criminals arrested under MPDA," he said.

Referring to the lack of progress in the CPI leader Govind Pansare murder case, Fadnavis said a court-monitored enquiry will be done if required, but the police should be given some more time.

"Twenty police teams are working day and night. Let us give them more time. We handed over the Narendra Dabholkar murder case to CBI but there has been no progress there too," he said.