Murder in Mumbai jail: Human rights panel seeks report in 2 weeks

The Maharashtra State Human Right Commission (MSHRC) and the Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW) have taken cognisance of 38-year-old Manjula Shetye’s custodial death after Hindustan Times report the brutal manner in which she was allegedly murdered inside the Byculla woman’s prison by six jail officials.

The complainant and the main witness in the case in her statement alleged that after assaulting Shetye brutally, the jail officials had even inserted a lathi (stick) inside her private parts, which created a stir.

MSHRC has demanded a detailed report on the incident within two weeks. Speaking exclusively with Hindustan Times, justice SR Bannurmath, chairperson of MSHRC, said, “We have got special rights and can take action against any custodial death that is reported in the state. We have taken suo moto cognisance of the matter and have sent letters to IG, prisons and the superintendent of Byculla jail to send us a detailed report on the incident within two weeks.”

The MSCW has also taken suo moto action into the case. It has also directed officials from the prisons department to present a detail report of an inquiry conducted by the department before June 29.

MSCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said, “We have taken cognisance into the matter and action shall be taken against the guilty. Following news reports into the brutal murder of Manjula Shetye, we have summoned jail officials to give us a detailed report into the incident, which should also include the post-mortem report.”

She further said, “We also want to know what they have done until now and what they are planning to do in the future because action should be taken against the culprits. We have summoned them to be present at 11am on June 29.”

Nagpada police have started recording the statements of the accused and the complainant in both the case registered by and against jail authorities.