Byculla jail inmate murder: PIL in Bombay HC seeking CID probe

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court seeking Criminal Investigation Department (CID) inquiry in the murder case of jail inmate Manjula Shetye inside the Byculla Jail.

Earlier in the day, the Bombay High Court on Friday observed that issue of security of jail inmates has become important and it needs to be looked into.

Yesterday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured the truth in the Byculla jail violence, involving Sheena Bora murder accused Indrani Mukerjea, would come out soon.

"Whatever the truth is, will come out soon," Fadnavis said.

However, the Mukerjea's lawyer demanded the special Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) court to record her statement and to conduct a medical examination.

Mukerjea's lawyer had filed an application in the special CBI court, claiming that she was assaulted by the jail authorities after the death of a convict, Manjula Shetye, sparked a protest in the prison.

Reportedly, over 200 women inmates, including Mukerjea, were booked for rioting and criminal conspiracy inside the Mumbai's Byculla jail.

The Nagpada Police also filed an FIR against six women prison staffers, including the jailor for the murder of Shetye.

On August 25, 2015, Mukerjea was arrested by the Mumbai Police in connection with the alleged murder of her daughter in 2012. She was charged under Sections 302, 201 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Since September 2015, Mukerjea has been held in judicial custody at a women's-only prison in Byculla Jail.