Make DIG Prisons co-accused in Byculla jail death case: Oppn

Demanding the suspension of DIG (Prisons) Swati Sathe in connection with the death of Manju Shette, a Byculla jail inmate, Leader of Opposition in the legislative council Dhananjay Munde today said that she be made a co-accused in the case.

Deputy chairman of the legislative council Manikrao Thakre withheld a calling attention notice moved by Narendra Patil (NCP) as the opposition and Shiv Sena members alleged that Sathe had sought to mobilise support and legal aid for the six accused jail officials on social media platforms, while she herself was the Investigating Officer (IO) of the case.

Seeking Sathe's suspension, Munde demanded that she be made a co-accused in the case.

The opposition argued that Shette did not die after falling in the toilet, but it was a "premeditated murder".

Demanding a judicial inquiry into the case, Shiv Sena member Neelam Gorhe said, "It is hard to believe that Manju Shette was so mercilessly beaten to death over the issue of five slices of bread and two eggs. Shetye knew about the shady goings on inside the Byculla jail and was about to be set free for her good conduct."

She alleged that an attempt was being made to save the accused and their saviors were sitting in the government.

The opposition objected to the replies given by Minister of State of Home (Urban) Dr Ranjit Patil over the issue.

Admitting that the preliminary autopsy report was not satisfactory, Patil said, "The government will probe whether the medical officer (casualty) had allegedly submitted a false affidavit in the case."

Meanwhile, replying to a debate on the two calling attention notices moved in the state legislative assembly by Narendra Patil and also leader of opposition in assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil over the issue, the minister said if the medical officer was guilty of dereliction of duty, he would be suspended.

In the upper house, Patil said that based on the findings of the preliminary report, woman jail officer Manisha Pokharkar, jail superintendent Indulkar and acting jail superintendent Gharbudve and five women police constables were immediately suspended.

Asserting that guilty would not be spared, he said, "The state Women's Commission has formed an committee headed by a retired judge and comprising retired police officer and social workers as members, for the investigation." On the opposition's charge that Swati Sathe had sent WhatsApp messages asking colleagues to raise donations and provide legal aid to the arrested prison staff, the minister said the matter will be probed by the Special IG and action shall be taken as per the cyber laws.

Replying to a query raised by Sharad Ranpise of the Congress over the need to reform the British-era jail manual, the minister said the state has set up its own committee on the model jail manual prepared by the Centre, which among other things deals with furlough and parole.

He added that the government would come out with a jail manual of its own soon.

"The government will set up Vishakha Committees in prisons as per the Supreme Court verdict," he announced.

However, not satisfied with the minister's replies, the opposition members continued to press for the suspension of Swati Sathe.

At this point, NCP leader Sunil Tatkare demanded that the calling attention notice. The deputy chairman upheld the demand.

With her WhatsApp messages seeking 'support' for six jail staffers arrested in connection with the death of an inmate at Byculla prison going viral, Sathe had withdrawn herself from the case earlier this month. The probe was then handed over to Special Inspector General (Prisons) Rajvardhan Sinha.

Shette (45) died at the J J Hospital on June 23 after being allegedly beaten up by the Byculla jail officials and staff as she "failed" to account for two eggs and five loaves of bread, which were distributed by her to the inmates, police had said.

Shette's death had sparked protests in the prison with over 200 prisoners, including Sheena Bora murder case accused Indrani Mukerjea, being booked for rioting.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)