Mumbai inmate death: Arrested guards break down during questioning, deny assault

Mumbai city news: During the preliminary questioning, the guards denied assaulting Shetye, but admitted to using force to control her when she began arguing over missing food ration.

Five out of the six women guards arrested for the murder of inmate Manjula Shetye , 38, inside Byculla jail denied assaulting her. Sources in the investigation team said a few of them broke down while being questioned.

The jail guards outside the court.(Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

Five of them were also produced before the holiday court on Sunday and were remanded in police custody till July 7.

During the preliminary questioning, the guards denied assaulting Shetye, but admitted to using force to control her when she began arguing over missing food ration.

They said they took Shetye back to barrack number 5 where she was lodged. They have also told investigators they have to be strict with inmates so that they do not go out of control.

Inmates, who witnessed the incident, told a visiting crime branch team that Shetye was assaulted severely in front of them inside the barrack. So far, the crime branch has recorded the statements of 10 witnesses. Around 50 inmates live in one barrack and an officer said they will record the statement of more inmates who saw the incident, an official said.

The incident occurred around 11am on June 23 when Shetye was allegedly assaulted. Around 5.30pm, she was found unconscious in the bathroom.

Police have arrested the six officials include jail officer Manisha Pokharkar, and constables Bindu Naikade, Waseema Shaikh, Shital Shegaonkar, Surekha Gulve and Aarti Shingne under sections 302 (murder) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intension) of the IPC.

One of the constables, Naikade, was produced in court on Saturday and remanded in police custody till July 7. While remaining five were produced in holiday court on Sunday.