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Journalism of Courage
An undertrial accused has claimed that he was detained illegally for four days at Taloja jail, despite being issued a release memo from court. However, Superintendent Pramod Wagh of Taloja Jail denied the claim.
Vijay Vagal has claimed that he was granted bail on May 6 by the Bombay High Court and after he completed the bail formalities, his release memo was issued by the Panvel court on June 30, which was received by the court on July 1.
He also claimed that this is not the first instance and that such illegal detention has happened with at least three other undertrial accused previously. The application further says that even though Vagal sought a response for why he was not being released, he was given evasive answers and then told that he has other cases pending against him.
Vagal claimed that he had no other cases pending. The letter claims that the detention was to ‘extort money from helpless prisoners’.
“This sequence of events constitutes an illegal detention and is a blatant violation of the fundamental and legal rights of my client.
Despite the absence of a valid warrant, chargesheet, or legal basis, my client continues to be deprived of his liberty which is completely against the spirit of the constitution,” the plea says.
It seeks disciplinary action to be initiated against the responsible officials and a written explanation on why he was detained. It also seeks Rs 5 lakhs as compensation for the mental agony and Rs 1 lakh for each day that he was illegally detained.
However, Wagh denied the allegations and maintained that the accused was released as per orders received from the court.
