PANJIM: The magisterial inquiry report in the anti-illegal mining activist Ravindra Velip’s assault case is inconclusive as the commission headed by Additional Collector Swapnil Naik could not identify the assailants. Interestingly, the report observed some flaws on the part of the complainant.
The Home Department will study the report before submitting it to Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar.
It has, however, made a series of recommendations to improve the overall condition of Sada sub-jail and achieving efficiency at work by ensuring regular transfers of jail officials.
The report, submitted to the Home Department on Monday, has also insisted on stricter security norms for inmates in the lockup, besides regular maintenance of surveillance equipment.
“The jail has to be properly maintained in terms of security, infrastructure, recording of video footage, etc. It was noticed that CCTVs do not record movement in and around the jail complex,” an official said.
It has further suggested that jail guards be trained on how to behave and treat inmates.
“The commission has made strict observations of how security at the sub jail is lax. It has also pointed out that the surveillance systems at the sub jail have been rendered useless due to absence of its maintenance. The annual maintenance of the equipment installed to keep watch on the inmates is must,” the report states.
The government had ordered the magisterial inquiry following a suggestion by Inspector General of Prisons Elvis Gomes to conduct an independent inquiry. Velip had alleged that around four persons, suspected to be jail guards had attacked him. In the complaint he has said that he was blind folded, gagged and thrown from the first floor on March 23 while in judicial lockup.
