Food squabble led to riot: Inquiry

Mumbai: A preliminary inquiry into the murder of an inmate of the Byculla women’s prison revealed that Friday’s fatal attack resulted allegedly over ‘disciplinary issues’ over food queue in the prison during lunchtime.

However, the Nagpada police is ascertaining the exact reason that sparked the brutal attack on the jail inmates and if there was any previous background to it that led to the fatal assault on Manju Shetye alias Deepa.

The squabble could have been over the quality of food that was being served in the prison or over jumping of queue while the food was being served, sources said. Nagpada police officials will begin recording statements of the six women police personnel and the jail inmates on Tuesday that will help find the reason behind the episode.

“There is no clarity on the specific reason that led to the life threatening attack on Shetye. As per the allegations of the jail inmates, Shetye was attacked post noon in the presence of other inmates, but we need to find what was the exchange of words between the victim and the accused policewomen,” said an officer from Nagpada police station.

The prison authorities are also conducting a separate inquiry to ascertain if any rules in the jail manual were flouted. The report of its findings will also be shared with the police.

“A magisterial enquiry is already underway and is being conducted by Swati Sathe, a female officer, focusing on administrative aspects in connection with the incident and the report is expected to be submitted in 10 days,” said B.K. Upadhyay, additional director general (prisons).

Further action will follow after the report is submitted, officials said.

The Nagpada police registered a case of murder against the six prison personnel, including a woman officer, for Shetye’s death. A separate case of rioting has also been registered against the inmates and the police is likely to arrest the convicts concerned, after the investigation.

Police’s probe report

• The fatal attack on Friday allegedly took place over ‘disciplinary issues’ over food queue in the prison during lunchtime.
• Ascertaining the exact reason behind the attack
• If there was any previous background to the attack that led to the fatal assault on Manju Shetye alias Deepa.
• The squabble could have also been over the quality of food that was being served in the prison
• Statements of the six women police personnel and the jail inmates were recorded on Tuesday
• Murder case have been registered against six police personnel
• Rioting case has been registered against inmates.