Maharashtra State Commission for Woman took suo motu cognizance of the brutal murder of Manjula Shetye, an inmate serving the last few months of her life imprisonment inside Byculla jail in Mumbai and issued notice to DGI in this regard.
Vijaya Rahatkar, chairman of the commission, said, “This appears to be an extremely serious case. We have issued notice to Bhushankumar Upadhyay, director general of jails, and asked him to remain present before the commission on June 29 with all the case papers and the investigation done so far.”
Nagpada police station registered the crime and the jail authorities have suspended seven officials allegedly involved in the murder. However, the delay of six days in taking cognizance of the case in which an inmate was stripped and beaten to death by the jailer and six other policewomen is a matter of concern.
Shiv Sena MLC and activist Neelam Gorhe said, “Unfortunately, the approach is to let the issue cool down and then do something for the sake of record. Commission should have visited the jail and talked to the other inmates. It would have helped in uncovering many things.” She added that mere suspension of the accused is a “mockery” and demanded that the accused be arrested immediately.
“Letting them free in a serious charge of murder is as good as giving them opportunity to influence witnesses. Police too have not done anything substantial apart from registering the crime and taking statements of a few witnesses,” she said.
The case was transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch on June 28. “I had requested CM to take the matter seriously because despite various guidelines and Supreme Court orders, the jail officials had the impunity to beat a woman inmate to death. Commission too acted after I visited the authorities,” Gorhe said and urged the crime branch to act swiftly against the accused.
Meanwhile, Nagpada police started recording statements of the woman inmates who are witnesses to the brutal murder. The witnesses include Indrani Mukerjea, accused in the Sheena Bora murder case and Vaishali Kadam, sister of NCP leader Ramesh Kadam.
According to Mukerjea's statement, “We heard a very loud noise and we saw the policewomen and the jailer beating up naked Manjula mercilessly. I couldn't see the brutality and ran inside the barracks. I was extremely scared.” Her statement matches with the statement of Mariam Sheikh, the complainant. Mariam had said, “Jailer and other policewomen had stripped Manjula and were beating her with sticks and kicking her in her private part. Many inmates ran away with fear as we were threatened with a similar punishment. Manjula was unconscious and remained so for six hours. She collapsed when we were taking her to toilet in the evening and died. It was all for the missing two eggs and one bun.”
Suresh Shetye, Manjula's brother said, “I had met her in May and she had complained about the bad treatment. I consoled her saying she would be free in a couple of months. I was to meet her on the June 24,” and added that she was serving life imprisonment along with her mother who passed away a few years ago. “Manjula's behavior inside was exemplary while in Yervada jail for 13 years. Even the jail authorities used to respect us due to her behavior.”
Manjula was transferred to Byculla women's jail last year. The inmates created a huge ruckus after the news of her death spread. Many inmates broke utensils, glasses and other kitchen equipment.
Police registered a rioting case against 35 women prisoners including Mukerjea and Kadam.
