Guards deny assault in Byculla jail killing
PROBE Officials break down, confess to using force against Shetye
Five out of the six women guards arrested for the murder inside Byculla jail, have denied assaulting convict Manjula Shetye (38), which led to her death. Sources in the investigation team said a few broke down while questioning.
The Mumbai crime branch probing the case, has arrested all the six – five guards and one officer. Five of them were produced before the holiday court on Sunday and were remanded to police custody till July 7.
During the preliminary questioning, the guards have told the officials, that they had not assaulted Shetye, but had used force to control her when she became argumentative and had put her in barrack number 5 where she was lodged and was in fact the warden of the barrack. They have also told the investigators they had to be strict with the inmates so that they do not go out of control.
The inmates who are witnesses have told a visiting crime branch team that Shetye was assaulted severely in front of them inside the barrack.
So far crime branch has recorded statements of 10 witnesses. Around 50 inmates live in one barrack and officials said they will record the statement of more inmates who have seen the incident.
The incident occurred around 11am on June 23 when Shetye was allegedly assaulted. The incident came to light around 5.30 pm when she was found in an unconscious condition in the bathroom.
Police have arrested the six officials include jail officer Manisha Pokharkar, and constables Bindu Naikade, Waseema Shaikh, Shital Shegaonkar, Surekha Gulve and Aarti Shingne under sections 302 (murder) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intension) of the IPC. One of the constables, Naikade, was produced in court on Saturday and remanded in police custody till July 7. While remaining five were produced on Sunday.
THE GUARDS SAID THEY USED FORCE TO CONTROL SHETYE AND PUT HER IN BARRACK NUMBER FIVE