‘My wife in jail only on suspicion’
The Free Press Journal spoke to the families of inmates outside Byculla jail. The families of the inmates at the jail are allowed a “mulaqat” once a week with the undertrials and convicts from Monday to Saturday between 3 pm to 5 pm for 20 minutes.
Shamina Murtuza Shaikh (35) has been lodged at Byculla jail since June 22, just a day prior to the murder of Manjula Shetye thrashed inside the jail.
Speaking to Free Press Journal, Shamina’s husband Murtuza Shaikh (40), a gym trainer who had come to meet his wife, said, “My wife has been lodged at the jail merely on the basis of suspicion. My 18-year-old daughter-in-law had sneaked a packet of cocaine inside our house. My entire family was totally unaware about this incident. When I was away at my workplace at Shree Ram gym at Kandivali, the Anti-Narcotics cell of the Kandivali unit arrested my wife.”
Shamina has been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), 1985. Murtuza alleged that Shamina is a firsttime offender. “We are from a poor background. A private advocate representing Shamina charged Rs 15,000 for consultation and documentation. We have not been told regarding the fees for bail and further legal procedure. I don’t know how I am going to raise the money for the legal fees and rescue Shamina from a pathetic life inside jail. The police are in a habit of catching the innocent and putting them in prison. Please do not mention my name in your story else my wife will have to further face harassment by the jail officials for a crime that she hasn’t committed in the first place. My daughterin-law has falsely implicated my wife. I don’t know from where my daughter-in-law had bought the drugs. “
“During mulaqat at the jail, Shamina told me that the jail officials have been strict and whenever there is a commotion inside the jail between two jail inmates, both the parties are rapped by the jail officials, “added Murtuza.
Murtuza was unaware of any free legal aid services for the poor.“I am aware about regarding Manjula Shetye being killed inside the Byculla jail,” added Murtuza.
Shamina’s case is being heard in court room number 42 at the Sessions court. Prior to the arrest, Shamina used to work as a maid in Kandivali. Shamina and Mustafa have two sons and two daughters. They are natives of Aurangabad.
Heena from Kurla was turned away by the Byculla jail officials from meeting a relative. Speaking to the Free Press Journal, Heena said, “My surname is Khan and the inmates surname is Mondal. The lady showed the PAN card and other documents to this reporter. “I have been coming here since Wednesday to meet a relative. The jail authorities are not allowing me to meet her. They say that since our surnames our different and we belong to different families, I cannot meet her. I am facing the same problem to meet another relative who is lodged at the Arthur road jail, “said a disappointed Heena.
Mohammed Ahmed (45) who had come to meet Ali, his twenty-year-old son was elated that Ali would be finally released on Monday after a five month trial at Byculla jail. Ali was arrested for committing a mobile theft inside a train. He was arrested by the railway police from Mumbai Central.
“Ali never complained to me regarding the food inside the jail or regarding any ill-treatment given to him inside the Byculla jail. May be he was not comfortable talking about it. However, he has been stung by a mosquito. His left cheek has been swollen due to the mosquito bite. Ali used to tell me about doing cleaning work inside the jail. As a parent who has been visiting him every week, I cannot speak of the living conditions inside the jail. My son can speak to you once he is released from the jail.”
Fateema Khan (40) who lives at Bainganwadi in Govandi had come to meet her son Junaid (19) along with her sister Yasmin and her son Mobil. Junaid was arrested on May 29 for a mobile theft case.
Speaking to the Free Press Journal, Fateema said, “My son was acquitted earlier in a theft case. However, the police have arrested my son again merely on suspicion. They booked and arrested him for a mobile theft. They do not have any evidence against my son that he has committed the theft.”
The families of the inmates at the jail are allowed a ‘mulaqat’ once a week with the undertrials and convicts from Monday to Saturday between 3 pm to 5 pm for 20 minutes
(All names have been changed to protect identity)