‘Byculla inmate died after assault by prison staff’
The Maharashtra government on Friday admitted that an investigation into the death of Byculla jail inmate Manjula Shetye revealed her death was a result of an assault and not an accidental fall as claimed by the jail authorities.
“There were 17 injury marks on her body and there is no doubt that her death was caused by staff assault. As per eye witnesses’ accounts, she was taken to the office of jail authorities after which doors and windows were closed. We have got the CCTV footage,” Patil said.
The revelation came after the Bombay high court pulled up the crime branch police for shoddy probe a few days ago.
Patil also declared suspension of Dr Vishwas Roke of JJ Hospital, who issued the death information certificate claiming it was a result of a fall.
“The post-mortem report revealed Shetye died after being beaten up,” said Patil in the lower house, adding no one will be spared by the government.
The issue was raised in the lower house through a calling-attention motion by NCP legislators Jayant Patil, Ajit Pawar and others.
Shetye died at the JJ Hospital on June 23 after being allegedly beaten up by Byculla jail officials and staff over a dispute on two eggs and five loaves of bread inside the jail.
A 20-member women Parliamentary Empowerment of Women Committee visited Byculla jail on July 24 to interact with inmates and enquired about Shetye’s death, which had led to an uproar.