SHRC probes Thane Central Prison for alleged bribery related to basic amenities and overcrowding issues | File photo
Mumbai: Taking cognizance of a complaint received via email regarding alleged corruption in Thane Central Prison related to space allocation and access to clean water, the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed the concerned departments to respond to the allegations.
The SHRC has also instructed the government to submit a copy of the blueprint which is made for increasing the prison’s capacity. Additionally, the government has been asked to provide both short-term and long-term plans for the proper management of prisoners to ensure that their basic amenities are not compromised. The matter has now been adjourned to January 7, pending a detailed response from the section officer regarding these plans.
The email complaint was sent by Siddivi Shetty and other prisoners of Thane central Prison, accusing prison authorities of accepting bribes to provide space to sleep. According to the order copy, the issue was first taken up for hearing last year, during which prison authorities and the Home Department were summoned to submit their replies.
The complainant alleged the following:
a. Prisoners are charged ₹9,000 by police officers for a place to sleep in the jail.
b. The food provided to prisoners contains sand particles.
c. Clothes given by family members are not handed over to the prisoners; instead, the police take them home.
d. Prisoners are charged ₹4,000 weekly for basic necessities like water for bathing or using the toilet.
Following the complaint, the SHRC summoned the Superintendent of Thane Prison, who denied the allegations. While addressing the issue of space for sleeping, she explained that the prison, with a capacity of 1,111 inmates, currently houses an average of 4,300 prisoners. Due to overcrowding, there is a shortage of sleeping space, and inmates are allocated sleeping areas based on their entry sequence. For this purpose, a separate register is maintained in the prison.
After reviewing the response related to overcrowding, the SHRC remarked, “Failing to provide sufficient sleeping space for prisoners is a violation of their right to life. Prisoners do not lose their basic human rights merely because they are incarcerated.” The authorities have been asked to provide further clarification on this matter.
A prison official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, “The allegations against the prison authorities are completely baseless. The prisoners may have personal grudges against certain officials, which could explain the false complaint. Our quality checks are conducted routinely, and the SHRC regularly inspects food and hygiene conditions. Regarding the issue of clothes, what would police officials do with clothes of different sizes?”
FPJ spoke to Rani Bhosale, the Superintendent of Thane Central Prison, who stated, “We have filed an affidavit before the SHRC, along with evidence. Let the authorities decide the matter.”
