PANJIM: In a shocking development, the Inspector General of Prisons has revoked the suspension order of Colvale Central Jail Jailor Krishna Usgaonkar despite the magisterial inquiry report recommending strict action against the jail staff for assaulting under trials.
Seven jail guards, along with the then jail superintendent Melwyn Vaz and jailor Usgaonkar, had been suspended for violating human rights by mercilessly beating 50 prisoners in October. The government instituted a magisterial inquiry by South Goa Collector Dr Sachin Shinde.
What is shocking is that while the seven jail guards continue to be suspended, their superior Usgaonkar has been reinstated. Interestingly, no favours have been granted to the Jail Superintendant who continues to be under suspension.
The order issued by IG Prisons Elvis Gomes states, “The undersigned in exercise of powers conferred by Clause (c) of sub-rule (5) of Rule 10 of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Apparel) Rules, 1965, hereby revokes the said order of suspension with immediate effect, without prejudice to the disciplinary proceeding initiated against Krishna Usgaonkar, jailor.”
However, the jail guards claim that the orders to beat up the under trials were issued by the jailor and the assistant jailor Bhanudas Pednekar, and question why they should be punished.
“We have been punished for no fault of ours. The under trials were unruly and the superiors issued us orders so what could we do? Why victimise us?” asked a jail guard, who is on suspension for the past four months.
They asked, “Why has the jailor been reinstated. Just because they have good contacts and we don’t have?”
The jail guards also stated that their salary has not been released for last three months. “On suspension we have to be paid 50 per cent of the salary but nothing has been given so far. How will our families survive?” they asked.
When contacted Gomes said he was aware of the issue and has been working on it. “Suspension is not a punishment but it is a way to keep them out till the inquiry is complete,” he said.
On salaries, he said, “I will look into the matter and no such complaint has come to me. It is their right to get half salary.”
