Departmental inquiryagainst 3 prison officials

Nagpur, May 5

The Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court has passed an order against three prison officials of Nagpur Central Jail due to their alleged involvement in facilitating, drugs, mobile phones and food to the inmates and facilitating other demands. As per High Court orders, the inquiry should be conducted by additional chief secretary (ACP) of Home department and has also directed that till the time the inquiry is complete, all the three officials will be suspended from duty.

The three officers include current Circle Jailer of Nagpur Central Jail Krishna Ravindra Chaudhary, Badi Circle Officer Gulab Sakharam Kharade and Circle Jailer Ravindra Govind Parekar for taking money for providing the extra facilities.

Justices duo Z A Haq and Amit Borkar has passed the order. The court clarified that no further action should be taken after the completion of the departmental inquiry, the report of the inquiry should be submitted to the court first, then further action should be taken as per the court order.

An inquiry into the allegations has found that some other prison officials are also involved in illegal acts. The court also directed that the inquiry report be submitted to the additional chief secretary of the Home department within 15 days, after which the ACP should take necessary measures to take action against other officers. The HC also directed Dhantoli police station to file and FIR against all the three offices and file an affidavit before the HC by May 18 in this regard.

Madan Kumar Shrivas had filed a petition in the court in this regard. While he was lodged in Nagpur Central Jail, the jail authorities were taking bribe and supplying drugs, mobile phones like cannabis, hashish, liquor etc. to the inmates. They were ordering food for them from outside. Shrivas had raised an objection, and therefore, he was kept in a separate room in Badi Circle for seven months from September 23, 2014, despite no orders from medical officer and or prison superintendent.

Meanwhile, Shrivas had lodged a complaint with the Dhantoli police station against the atrocities and harassment by the jail authorities. However, no concrete action has been taken and hence he had to go to High Court.

The \Imodus operandi\I

The prisoners were given mobile phones so that they can call up their relatives to jail. After that, the prison guards were taking agreed amount from the relatives and then the inmates were being given whatever they wanted including liquor, drugs, lavish food and other things.

Retired judge Qazi led the inquiry

On December 13, 2019, the High Court had ordered an inquiry into the allegations in the petition through retired district judge Ejazuddin Qazi. Accordingly, former Justice Qazi inquired into the matter and on April 18, 2021, submitted a 67-page report to the court. The court, after going through the report, issued various orders. Adv M J Khan assisted former Justice Qazi in the process.

Department disgraced due

to some corrupt officials

The state police department is currently facing severe criticism due to serious allegations against high-ranking police officers in Mumbai. There is no doubt that the police department is working sincerely to maintain law and order. The police have been doing their job even during Corona pandemic. However, the court observed that the police department was being tarnished due to act of some corrupt officials and employees.