Pallavi’s family appeals to Maharashtra CM

Following the disappearance of the man convicted for murdering their daughter, the family of Pallavi Purkayastha has approached the chief minister to look into the matter. Atanu Purkayastha, the deceased’s father, said that he had appealed to CM Devendra Fadnavis on Friday to inquire into the case, as the convict had jumped parole.

“We are using all the resources we have and have contacted the highest state authorities regarding this development,” said Sumita Purkayastha, Pallavi’s mother. Atanu and Sumita are both bureaucrats, residing in Delhi.

On August 9, 2012, 25-year-old Pallavi, a lawyer, was found dead with her throat slit and lying in a pool of blood at her house. The investigators later arrested Sajjad Mughal, the security guard at Himalayan Heights where Pallavi stayed with her boyfriend Avik Sengupta.

Mughal was sentenced to life imprisonment after the court found him guilty. He went missing after he was let out on parole in February.

Speaking to The Asian Age, a distraught Atanu said, “I was informed about the development only early this week. The jail authorities did not inform me. I had to contact my other sources to find out,” he said.

Atanu, an IAS officer, revealed that he had written to the CM immediately after hearing that Mughal had jumped his parole. “I received a reply reassuring me that the CM would look into the matter. It also mentions that an inquiry had been ordered into the matter and relevant authorities were at work,” he said.

Atanu said it was a highly irresponsible act by the jail authorities. “How could they let this happen Demanding a low amount of surety and then giving parole to somebody who has been convicted of murder and is serving a life sentence is just callous behaviour on their part,” he said.

Assistant police inspector Mahesh Tawde who was the investigating officer of the case said he had informed Pallavi’s family about Mogul jumping parole. “He (Atanu) inquired with me about the status and I checked with the jail authorities who told me that he had not returned after being granted parole,” Mr Tawde said.

When contacted Eknath Dawale, divisional commissioner, Nashik, said that investigations were on. “An FIR has been lodged by prison authorities at Nashik Rural police station regarding Mughal jumping parole,” Mr Dawale said.

According to the police, Sajjad had entered the flat accompanied by an electrician after Pallavi had complained of a power cut in the building. While on his way out, he nicked the house keys and used the same after sometime to enter the house. When he tried to force himself on her, she resisted. He then hit her with a blunt object and then slit her throat with a knife that he was carrying.

It was later learnt that a grievously injured Pallavi, allegedly ran for help to her neighbours and rang the bell but since it was past midnight, nobody heard the bell and she could not get help. Her body was discovered late in the night by her boyfriend Avik Sengupta who stayed with her in the same flat.