Directs it to shift him back to Sada jail from Mapusa
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Goa State Human Rights Commission has pulled up the prisons department for transferring an under trial from Sada sub-jail at Vasco to Mapusa judicial lock-up for exposing alleged irregularities at the jail, such as poor food, sanitation and drinking water.
The three-member bench headed by Justice P K Mishra recommended the department to shift prisoner Jayesh Naik back to Sada jail where he was lodged since February 17, 2011, until Inspector General of Prisons Mihir Vardhan accepted the Sada authorities’ recommendation to transfer him to Mapusa jail thereafter.
The commission’s inquiry was started after Naik’s mother filed a complaint that her son was shifted to Mapusa because he had complained to Margao Sessions Court about several irregularities allegedly prevailing in Sada jail.
“He was instrumental in highlighting the poor quality of food, sanitation, drinking water, playground facilities, etc. He also told Margao Sessions Judge about poor quality of food, who assured him of reporting the matter to the High Court which annoyed Assistant Superintendent S Pednekar,” the mother alleged.
During the hearing, the family brought out the hardships faced by Naik’s aged and sick parents to travel from Margao to meet him in the Mapusa lock-up. They also said that Naik’s transfer made it difficult for him to meet the lawyer.
The prisons department, on the other hand, submitted that Naik was involved in creating differences between the inmates and the jail administration. “There have been several oral complaints…creating unrest, instigating his cellmates against the system and filing of baseless allegations against the jail administration,” the reply reads.
The officials also cited his rivalry with murder accused Sandeep Kalangutkar in Sada jail, since the latter is a master craftsman. Based on the findings of the Sada Jail Superintendent the IGP mentioned to the Commission, “It was not advisable to transfer him to Vasco in view of his behaviour which is detrimental to the smooth functioning of the jail as reported by the superintendent.”
The commission however observed that department’s apprehension over Naik’s behaviour was not convincing and recommended his transfer to Sada jail and said that their observations did not hold water. The department has been asked to submit status report by February 11. The commission’s previous directive to shift Naik to Sada jail was not adhered to after which a notice was issued to the officials concerned. The directive had come following an inspection by the commission members.
