I was beaten up in jail: Indrani in court
on the statement of a witness who was a close friend of Manjula, who described the brutality Manjula suffered for asking for two eggs and five pavs (bread). The six jail officials had assaulted her, and even inserted a lathi (stick) inside her private parts, according to the FIR.
A case was registered at Nagpada police station under sections 302 (punishment for murder) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, after JJ Hospital authorities gave a preliminary post mortem report stating that Shetye sustained 11 to 13 contusions all over her body, and that her lungs had expanded due to the injury. JJ hospital officials had even confirmed that the victim was assaulted with a blunt object due to which she had sustained only internal injuries.
“We are looking for concrete evidence on the allegations levelled against the jail officials,” said a senior officer, requesting anonymity. Only after evidence is gathered would the officials be arrested, added the officer. Akhilesh Kumar, deputy commissioner of police (Zone 3), refused to offer any comments.
Former media entrepreneur Indrani Mukerjea, the main accused in the murder of her daughter Sheena Bora, filed an application in a special court on Tuesday, saying she was beaten up by authorities in Mumbai’s Byculla Jail during a protest by prisoners against the brutal assault on a murder convict on Friday.
Mukerjea’s lawyer told the court that bruise marks could be seen all over her body after she was assaulted by the jail staff along with the other inmates after they protested the death of a 38-year-old Manjula Shetye.
The special Central Bureau of Investigation court ordered jail officials to produce Mukerjea before it on Wednesday.
Shetye’s death triggered a violent protest and around 200 inmates, including Mukerjea, climbed up the prison’s terrace and began protesting against the incident. They also allegedly hurt prison staff and damaged property. Police have registered a complaint against the 200 inmates, including Mukerjea, for rioting, assault and mischief.
Mukerjea has already recorded a statement before the investigating team about the incident in which the jail staff had allegedly thrashed and inserted a baton inside the private parts of Shetye, who later died because of the severe injuries.
Police have booked six jail officials for the death of Shetye, who was serving a life imprisonment sentence after being convicted of the murder of her sister-in-law.
Her post-mortem examination report from JJ Hospital said Shetye had about 11 to 13 contusions all over her body. The dean of the hospital, TP Lahane, said the woman’s lungs were damaged.