Inmate death: Defence wants access to CCTV footage

The defence advocate appearing on behalf of Byculla jail officers, accused of assaulting and murdering convict Manjula Shetye, on Friday informed the Sessions court that the prosecution has not handed over CCTV footage to the defence. The defence also informed the court that the prosecution has handed over just one image of the footage and, therefore, it is difficult for the defence to put forth its case.

The defence claimed that the police had not provided the entire evidence listed in the charge sheet. The prosecution, however, stated that the CCTV footage is in a pen drive and that the defence can initiate its arguments even without viewing the footage. The court has asked the prosecution to submit the reply within a period of one week.

The prosecution further claimed that an image of the CCTV footage was attached in the charge sheet, which depicts the crime. This was, however, opposed by the defence on the grounds that images of the footage will not show the true picture, and thus it is essential to have the recording in order to present the defence's case before the court.

The defence advocate further claimed that 'poor public servants' was being victimised in the case due to the media pressure and the authorities.

Manjula Shetye, a convict prisoner, who was appointed as a warden in Byculla jail, was allegedly assaulted by jail staff on June 23, and she succumbed to her injuries the next day.