Maharashtra CM Fadnavis makes a surprise visit to Nagpur central jail

Fadnavis said the prison administration requires a major revamp thus expressing his disappointment with the present working in the premises.

Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio, has taken the decision to bring major reforms in the administration to beef up security and plug the administrative lapses which are human nature. (Source: Express Archive)

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday paid a surprise visit to Central Jail in Nagpur to personally review the security and functioning inside the premises. A fortnight ago five dreaded criminals escaped from the prisons raising questions about the administration and security in the prisons.

Fadnavis who holds the home portfolio has taken the decision to bring major reforms in the administration to beef up security and plug the administrative lapses which are human nature. Fadnavis confirmed, “Yes, I made a surprise visit to personally review the security. I feel the entire administration in the prison requires a major revamp. There are serious shortcomings which cannot go unattended. I have directed the officials to take necessary measures to spruce up the administration and security in the premises.”

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Sources in the CMO revealed, “ The chief minister’s programme which was scheduled did not have any mention of his visit to Central Jail in Nagpur. He left early morning from Mumbai to Nagpur and was to drive straight to his official bungalow Ramgirir and then address a couple of public meetings in Wadi and Mohad in the outskrits for local bodies elections.” However, Fadnavis after landing in Nagpur drove straight to Central Jail. The administration in the prison was taken by surprise and not prepared for the CM’s visit. The chief minister said, “I would like to take a round in the prison.”

The chief minister was accompanied by divisional commissioner of police Anoop Kumar and city police commissioner S P Yadav.

After the jailbreak the chief minister had suspended Superintendent of Police (Prisons) Viabhav Kamble. The chief minister had issued a stern warning that lapses in the administration would not be tolerated and anybody found guilty would be punished.

Just paid a surprise visit to Central Jail,Nagpur. A lot still needs to be done.Entire jail admin requires a revamp. pic.twitter.com/cts4h25uxv

— Devendra Fadnavis (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Dev_Fadnavis) April 20, 2015

Fadnavis invited sharp criticism from the Congress and NCP leaders who wondered how dreaded criminals who were in prison managed to escape where security should have been given highest priority.

While acknowledging that fleeing of criminals exposed the security lapses inside the prisons, Fadnavis assured he would spare no effort to fix the problems. The search operations inside the prisons also exposed how 100 mobile phones had made way inside the prisons and handed to inmates raising questions of nexus between the criminals and officials in the prison.

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A team lead by Director General of Police (anti-corruption bureau) Praveen Dixit is investigating into the jail break.

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