2 guards suspended for attempting to smuggle liquor, tobacco into jail

PANJIM: It appear as if the prisons staff posted at Colvale Jail has not learnt any lessons from the illegal bhang party that led to suspension of five jail officials this February, as two others have now been caught trying to smuggle liquor and tobacco products into the jail. 

Alert personnel attached with Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) caught jail guard Yashant Dessai and head guard Pradeep Kambli trying to sneak in with a liquor bottle and 20 packets of tobacco last week.

Inspector General of Prisons, Rajendra Mirajkar, suspended the two pending a departmental inquiry.  

Sources in Colvale Jail told Herald that Dessai, whose appearance looked suspicious, had hidden a 90ml liquor bottle in his tiffin, while Kambli had hidden the 20 packets of tobacco in his underwear. 

“The two jail staffers were frisked as a part of the daily exercise by the IRB personnel, posted outside the jail. Dessai had hidden the liquor bottle in his lunch box. It was covered with cooked rice to avoid any suspicion whereas Kambli tried to smuggle tobacco hiding it in his underwear. Both were caught red-handed and the articles were seized. Based on the report from the IRB, the two were suspended,” said sources. 

On being asked for a comment, Mirajkar confirmed the news to Herald. “Yes, both errant jail officials have been suspended. We will not spare anybody involved in illegal activities and take stern action against them. The Prisons Department is serious about such sensitive issues,” he said. 

The Prisons Department, in February had suspended five personnel following the bhang episode. An inquiry had revealed that an illegal party had been held in the jail premise, and a jail guard and two inmates had taken ill after consuming the ‘drink’. 

The guard and the two inmates had vomited after consuming bhang on the Mahashivratri day and were rushed to the hospital. The bhang, it is alleged, was offered by another inmate appointed as a cook in the jail kitchen. While the suspensions were recently revoked and charge sheet issued, further inquiry has begun.