26 July,2016 09:26 AM IST | | Faisal Tandel
The internal inquiry conducted by DIG (Prisons) Swati Sathe into the allegations of corruption against Thane jail SP Hiralal Jadhav has found truth in the charges. It has been learnt that the incriminating report had suggested the transfer of Jadhav in June itself
mid-day had reported how Thane jail SP Hiralal Jadhav was providing 5-star facilities to the inmates for a sum of R5 lakh in May.
Sources claimed DIG (Prisons - South region) Swati Sathe, also the officer investigating the corruption charges against Jadhav, sent the confidential report to the IG (Prisons) and the state home department on June 15. In her report, she confirmed that bribes were taken from inmates to provide them VIP treatment, let them use cellphones in the jail and to fudge records.
Sathe also mentioned that she questioned four constables and officers, who were then posted at Thane Jail, and whose names were mentioned in the mid-day report about the thriving malpractices inside the jail. These officers were asked to depose before her. The list of officers questioned includes the accused and those raising their voices against corruption.
Jail sources also claimed Jadhav bullied the officers into skipping the deposition. However, the tables turned when the officers who were transferred decided to depose before Sathe. These officers claimed that money was taken to provide VIP treatment to the Thane jail inmates.
A senior officer from Prisons department said, "We discovered that allegations of corruption in Thane jail were true. Based on the findings of our inquiry, a confidential report was sent to the higher authorities, suggesting Hiralal Jadhav's transfer from Thane jail at the earliest. The suggestion was made citing security reasons."
