5-star treatment: Devendra Fadnavis orders probe against Thane jail superintendent

Taking cognisance of yesterday's mid-day report on alleged massive corruption by Thane Central Jail Superintendent Hiralal Jadhav, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a probe into the allegations.

Thane Jail Superintendent Hiralal Jadhav

mid-day had quoted contents of an 11-page letter sent to the CM by whistleblowers on April 30, alleging that Jadhav allows rich inmates to lead cushy lives after greasing his palms, lets them make calls through his personal phone and treats them to a regular stash of hashish, marijuana and alcohol, with the connivance of jailers Madane Kadam, Ingale and Suryanvanshi, and constable Suryakant Patil. He also allegedly forces the jail staff to kowtow to his bribe demands for sought-after duties.

Confirming his directive, Fadnavis said, "I have asked higher authorities to probe all allegations reported by mid-day. Higher officials in the home and prisons departments will conduct the inquiry and submit a report to me."

Sources said the government, as a rule, does not take cognisance of anonymous letters or complaints, but in this case, it has made an exception. Sources in the home department said all officials named in the complaint will face a probe.

Denying the allegations, Jadhav told mid-day that he is ready for an inquiry.

‘Aide' transferred
Meanwhile, Ashwini Mandape, who was allegedly brought in by Jadhav as the officer in charge of the women personnel, was on Wednesday transferred to the Byculla jail.

Swati Sathe, who is handling the additional charge of IG (Prisons), said, "We have initiated an inquiry into the matter. Woman officer Ashwini Mandape has been relieved from the Thane Central Jail and sent to her original post (as women personnel in-charge) at the Byculla jail."

Mandape had joined the Thane Central Jail on March 30, but, according to the letter, didn't report for duty till April 3. Also, on the date of joining, she was allegedly driven to the jail by Jadhav himself in his car and constables were directed to pick up her bags.

After Mandape was disqualified from service by the DIG's office on April 11, Jadhav sent a favourable report to the office, commending her service in prison, following which she was reinstated.