Byculla jail inmate's death: Mumbai police oppose bail to accused officials

The Crime Branch of Mumbai police on Friday opposed the bail applications of six prison officials arrested in connection with the alleged killing of Byculla
Jail inmate Manju Shette. 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.

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 August 16.

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 Shette and causing her death. Shette (45), serving life sentence, died in hospital on June 23. 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.