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7 Yerawada prison officials suspended for aiding inmates

Michael Gonsalves in Pune

In a drastic move, seven prison department officials were suspended for their alleged nexus with some of the inmates of the high-security Yerawada Central Prison.

"On the basis of the preliminary investigation, the decision to suspend seven prison officials was taken on Monday," Inspector General of Police (prisons) T Singarvel told rediff.com.

There was a prima facie case against them as the investigations revealed they were extending various facilities to prison inmates, he added.

The suspended officials are Deputy Inspector General B S Tikare, superintendent of Yerawada Central Prison R B Chaudhury, senior jailer R N Parade and jailors Sadanand Gaikwad, Nitin Waicgal, R Z Chavan and Nagesh Patil.

All the seven jail officials had been served showcause notices as to why action should not be initiated against them.

The inquiry against these officials was launched after the recovery of several objectionable articles, including the charger of a cellular phone, two luxurious beds, audio and video cassettes as well as Rs 27,530 in currency, from the inmates.

On a tip-off that some of the jail inmates were provided "extra" facilities against the rules of the jail manual, a team of prison officials led by Singarvel himself conducted a surprise raid on the Donje Yard in Yerawada prison, where legislator and TADA (Terrorists and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act) detenue Pappu Kalani was lodged, on November 4, 1999.

Besides the recovery of the articles and cash, the jail officials also found some inmates visiting Kalani illegally in his cell at the time of the raid.

Singarvel had immediately transferred five jail officials and 18 sentries, who were allegedly involved in providing comforts to Kalani and others.

Pappu Kalani is an undertrial for the alleged murder of Anna Shetty, and is accused of various offences, including murder, a bomb blast and of spreading terror.

He won the Maharashtra assembly elections twice consecutively while behind bars. On Novemebr 11, 1999, he completed seven years in prison.

The Yerawada prison is one of the high security jails in the state.

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