Ramesh Kadam described a number of instances where the rules were allegedly flouted by the jail officials
While defending his jail transfer application on Tuesday, Nationalist Congress Party MLA Ramesh Kadam informed the court that the authorities at the Arthur Road prison was no longer ready to lodge him because he has acted as a whistleblower and complained about their irregularities.
Kadam described a number of instances where the rules were allegedly flouted by the jail officials. The prosecution, however, has claimed that Kadam was merely trying to create pressure on the jail authority.
“I have reported a number of instances where the law was misused by the jail officials. Initially, when I was lodged in the Arthur Road prison, I used to share my barrack with Sameer Bhujbal, Chhagan Bhujbal and Peter Mukerjea. It was then that I saw that a jail staff allegedly brought Vodka filled in a Bisleri bottle for Sammer. In another case, one Ramesh Shimpi, a 26-year-old pavement dweller, who was arrested in connection with a drugs case, was allegedly beaten up so brutally by the jail officers that he succumbed. However, the jail authorities informed that he died of head injury,” Kadam said.
Kadam further informed the court that he is an eyewitness in Manjula Shetye’s case, where she was allegedly assaulted by the jail authorities leading to her death. “On the day Shetty was assaulted, jailor Manisha Pokharkar and her team cleaned the evidence and burnt it near the kitchen. Also, the day following the assault, the garbage vehicle that comes to pick up the garbage, was called two hours before the usual timings. Thiswas done with an intention of clearing evidence. I have recorded my statement with police,” said Kadam.
Kadam further informed the court that there is a rate card which is allegedly shown to the accused who wants to have a good time in jail. “It starts with tea twice a day for which an accused has to pay Rs 30,000 a month and Rs 50,000 for homecooked food even. Further, there is an option of the jail who can provide bail, wherein on payment of Rs 50 lakhs to Rs 1 crore. The medical officer will prepare a report for the accused on the basis of which a bail can be opted from the court,” alleged Kadam.
The court, however, held that the orders on the jail transfer would be passed only after viewing the necessary evidence. Meanwhile, an order was passed by the court to allow Kadam to withdraw his monthly salary from the accounts which were termed as cold and blocked by the bank authorities on the instructions of the investigating agency.
Kadam was arrested for his alleged role in irregularities in the Annabhau Sathe Development Corporation in July 2015. Kadam has been accused of allegedly misappropriating crores of rupees of the Mahamandal in the process of loan disbursement.
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