Bombay high court orders inquiry against lock-up in-charge

The Dindoshi additional principle judge, has been directed to conduct an inquiry into an alleged complaint of ill-treatment and abuse made by around 200 prisoners of Thane prison against lock-up in-charge of the court. The Bombay high court has directed that inquiry must be conducted within four weeks and a report should be submitted to the court accordingly.

The division bench of justices BH Marlapalle and UD Salvi directed the Dindoshi judge to conduct the inquiry based on a letter forwarded by one convict Pramod Zore. In his letter Zore has mentioned that whenever his family members and relatives come to meet him at court, the lock up in-charge abuses them and even calls the accused with names like rapist, thieves and murderers.

This is done before their minor children which is causing a lot of emotional trauma to them and leading to a bad impression about them on their children.

The letter further reads, the ill-treatment is only carried out to them because they are poor accused and don’t pay the in-charge any bribe to allow them meet their family members. It also states that the policemen and officials posted outside are allegedly using expletives to the visitors. The letter pleads that they have no choice left but to approach the court to seek relief from the harassment.

Additional public prosecutor, Ajey Gadkari informed the court that the lock up in-charge and police men should be made a party to the petition and their reply should also be sought. However, the court disposed off the petition and directed the Dindoshi judge to initiate inquiry.