After six-year wait, cops get prize money

State had declared Rs 1.5 lakh reward for jail staffers who overpowered D-gang members in Arthur Road Jail

State had declared Rs 1.5 lakh reward for jail staffers who overpowered D-gang members in Arthur Road Jail
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It has been over six years now, but the wait is finally over. Shiv Shankar Patil, a jailer, and Bhausaheb Patil, a havaldar, who had been promised cash rewards of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000 respectively, have finally received their promised money.



The sums of money were awarded to them for having successfully overpowered members of the Dawood Ibrahim gang in Arthur road jail, six years ago. While jailer Patil is presently attached to the central jail in Osmanabad, Bhausaheb is attached to Thane central jail.

Better late than never

The two bravehearts had to remind authorities about their pending rewards numerous times, before finally obtaining them.

Speaking to MiD DAY, both Shiv Shankar and Bhausaheb confirmed having received letters from their respective head offices last week. They subsequently received the sums in their bank accounts.

"I am thankful to the government and my superiors for recognising our efforts. We will continue to work hard," promised Bhausaheb, outside the Thane central jail.
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Shiv Shankar too expressed his gratitude. Speaking to MiD DAY over the phone, he said, "It has been a long wait since the award was announced, but I am happy to have finally received it."

Significantly, the award has boosted the morale of nearly 3,000 members of the jail staff, including officers from across 32 prisons in the state.

A few good men

Surinder Kumar, inspector general of prisons, confirmed that the duo had received their rewards. He said, "It is a good move on part of the government, and will foster motivation among other members of the staff. The jail staff is not permitted to carry weapons inside the jail premises.

Shiv Shankar and Bhau Saheb exhibited great presence of mind and discharged their duties effectively. This is praiseworthy and the two have received what was due to them. I hope such efforts wont go unnoticed in the future as well."

Yogesh Desai, jail

superintendent at Thane central jail, said, "This is the first time in the history of the prison that such a large sum has been awarded to any of the staff. The morale of the staff is soaring high."

Nasik jail superintendent Swati Sathe, who was the superintendent at Arthur road jail at the time of the incident, said, "I am happy for both of them."

Delay?
A senior jail official pointed out that special budgetary provisions have to be made for such rewards.
He explained that since such a huge reward was being given for the first time, it required the sanction of senior officials in the home department.

The Incident
On June 21, 2004, Arthur Road prison inmates Vicky Singh (22), and Rajesh Dhudwani (30), who had been imprisoned there for a year, attacked jailer Shiv Shankar Patil (37).

Singh allegedly slashed Patil's face with a razor, and then stabbed him in the neck and chest. Patil said, "I had expected the assault.

I had received information that Singh and Dhudwani had been approached by 1993 bomb blast accused Shaikh Mohammed Ehtesham, to join the Chhota Shakeel gang. Ehtesham had assured them Rs 10,000 and bail. In order to terminate their communication, I had separated Singh and Dhudwani.

The attack was a result of the separation. Patil filed a complaint against Singh and Dhudwani under Section 332 of the IPC, with the N M Joshi Marg police. He also named Ehtesham in the FIR.