This is an archive article published on July 17, 2024
High-security prisoners transferred from Taloja Central jail due to building repairs
These prisoners include gangster Abu Salem, who is serving a prison term for the 1993 Bombay blasts case, dismissed cop Sachin Waze, booked in the Antilia terror scare case, and several accused in the Elgaar Parishad case, among others.
Taloja jail, which has a capacity to lodge around 2,124 prisoners, currently houses over 3,000 inmates. (Representational Photo)
At least 18 high-security prisoners in Taloja Central Jail have been transferred to other jails or moved to the general barracks due to necessary repairs on the building they were lodged in.
These prisoners include gangster Abu Salem, who is serving a prison term for the 1993 Bombay blasts case, dismissed cop Sachin Waze, booked in the Antilia terror scare case, and several accused in the Elgaar Parishad case, among others. Some prisoners have been shifted to other jails within the city or state, while others have been relocated to the general barracks of Taloja jail.
Taloja jail, which has a capacity to lodge around 2,124 prisoners, currently houses over 3,000 inmates. The high-security prisoners are usually lodged in the “anda” cell or a separate building for security purposes. Authorities at Taloja jail reported that a structural audit conducted by the Public Works Department (PWD) in Panvel revealed that the high-security building was unsafe for use. The jail submitted a letter issued by the Executive Engineer of the PWD to a court, which also stated that other areas, including the hospital building and the residences of officers, needed to be vacated.
Based on this report, the jail transferred Salem to Nashik jail, while Waze and murder accused Vijay Palande were transferred to Thane jails. Accused in the Elgaar Parishad case and the Mumbai 2011 triple blasts case have been moved to the general barracks of Taloja jail. Salem had approached the court against the transfer, stating that he had been attacked twice in jail and feared further attacks if moved elsewhere. He was attacked by his co-accused, Mustafa Dossa, at Arthur Road jail in 2010 and allegedly shot by another accused in Taloja jail in 2013.
Salem expressed concerns about being attacked by Dossa’s gang members or other gang members if moved elsewhere. The special court rejected Salem’s plea in June, and his plea in the Bombay High Court is pending, even as he was moved to Nashik jail.
Similarly, Sunil Mane, a dismissed inspector of the Mumbai police booked in the Antilia terror scare case, filed a plea last week stating that he had served in the police force for 25 years and arrested many gangsters and hardened criminals. Mane contended that he should not be sent to the general barracks with other prisoners as it could pose a threat to his life.
The special court ruled that it would be dangerous to keep him in the high-security jail, which is in a dilapidated condition, and directed that he be shifted to any jail within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues.
Expertise
Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports.
Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on:
Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the "ordinary and not so ordinary events" that reveal the human element within the justice system.
Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on:
Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates.
Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children.
Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions.
Experience
Institutional Affiliation: Reporting for The Indian Express—a leading national newspaper—ensures her coverage is subject to high editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and legal rigor.
Impactful Detail: Her focus on trial courts provides readers with direct, detailed insights into the workings of the justice system, making complex legal narratives accessible and establishing her as a reliable and trusted chronicler of the legal landscape.
Sadaf Modak's blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism.
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