Byculla jail violence: Mumbai Police oppose bail applications of six accused prison officials

Mumbai: The Crime Branch of Mumbai police Friday opposed the bail applications of six prison officials arrested in connection with the alleged killing of Byculla Jail inmate Manjula Shetye. In a reply filed before the sessions court through Public Prosecutor Shankar Yerende, the police said the accused were facing serious charges, and investigation was still on. [caption id=“attachment_3766417” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Manjula Shetye. Puja Changoiwala[/caption] The police had direct, circumstantial as well as “electronic” evidence against them, and if released on bail, they “may hamper the investigation process”, it said, also pointing out that these officials live in the jail premises. The court is likely to hear the bail applications on 16 August. Six officials of Byculla women’s prison here — Manisha Pokharkar, Wasima Shaikh, Shital Shegokar, Surekha Gulve, Aarti Shingne and Bindu Naikade — were arrested last month for allegedly assaulting Shetye and causing her death. Shetye (45), serving life sentence, died in hospital on 23 June. It led to a violent protest by fellow inmates including Indrani Mukerjea, a prime accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, the next day. The accused officials alleged in their bail pleas that Indrani and some other inmates were the “masterminds” behind the false case against them. These inmates bore personal grudges against the officials, they said.