Security of inmates most important: HC

Justice Jadhav observed, “The recent death of Shetye raises concerns over the security of inmates lodged in jails across state”

The brutal assault and the death of convict Manjula Shetye has shocked everyone including the Bombay High Court. The HC on Friday said that Shetye’s death has raised concern over the security of inmates lodged in various jails across Maharashtra.

A criminal Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Balu Choudhary (41), a prisoner lodged in the Yerwada jail, was mentioned before a Division Bench of Justice Rajendra Savant and Justice Sadhana Jadhav. The petition intends to highlight the ‘inhuman’ conditions in which inmates of the Yerwada jail have been forced to live in.

Justice Jadhav referred to the recent incidents in the Byculla women’s prison and observed, “The recent death of Shetye has raised concerns over the security of inmates lodged in jails across the state. The security of prisoners is most important as of now and needs to be looked into.”

The petition has sought a fair and impartial investigation against the Yerwada jail authorities as Choudhary has levelled a series of allegations against them. He has contended that the jail authorities have been harassing and assaulting the prisoners.

The petition has also sought directions for implementation of the jail manual and the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court regarding jail infrastructure and the basic amenities that are required to be provided to the prisoners.

Citing one of the incidents, Choudhary has claimed that if a prisoner makes any application before the court against the jail staff, that inmate is beaten up and is pressurised to withdraw his application.

The petition also states that the basic right to privacy of all the prisoners in Yerwada are being breached as the authorities have installed a camera near the wash-room, that captures them when they visit there for nature’s call.

The petition has been posted for further hearing after one week.