The Special Operation Group (SOG) of the Rajasthan Police will probe the shootout in the Bikaner Central Jail on Wednesday resulting in the death of three inmates. It will submit a report in the next session of the Assembly.
Making a suo-motu statement in the Assembly here on Friday, Rural Development Minister Gulab Chand Kataria described it as a very serious and sensitive case and assured that no one involved would be spared.
He told the House that the Jail Superintendent Surendra Singh and two jail guards — Shubhkaran and Ranvir — who were on duty outside the wards have been placed under suspension.
The Minister also claimed that CCTV footage indicated the involvement of a jail havaldar, Sabir, who was seen handing over a parcel to Jaiprakash in the morning. However, he said it was only a suspicion and a detailed investigation was needed. Sabir is also under suspension.
The House had to be adjourned for half-an-hour during Zero Hour when the Opposition wanted to raise the issue before the government made a statement whereas the Chair allowed the Minister to speak first resulting in a furore which led to the adjournment.
The incident took place at around 6 pm on Thursday between Ward Numbers 5 and 6 though the prisoners were not supposed to be present there. According to Mr Kataria, one of the inmates Balbir Banuda was shot dead by his rival Jaiprakash. Jaiprakash and his aide Rampal were subsequently stoned to death by Banuda's men. Two inmates also received injuries in the gang war.
“When Assistant Jailors reached the spot, they found them lying dead. Such a big incident occurred, but it is surprising that the jail staff was not able to reach the crime scene before the murders. It raises doubts and detailed investigation is needed to unveil the truth and to identify all those involved,” Mr Kataria said.
Admitting the incident was a ‘blot’, Mr Kataria said the government takes the responsibility of the incident and assured the House that strict and exemplary action would be taken against those found guilty so that no such incident occurs in the future.
Meanwhile, the government came under sharp criticism from the Opposition on the matter with the members demanding a CBI inquiry into the matter. Congress chief whip Govind Singh Dotasra even alleged that a senior Cabinet member had visited the jail when the Chief Minister was touring Bikaner Division, and demanded an enquiry into his role as well. He was backed by Leader of Opposition Rameshwar Dudi and several other MLAs.
Reacting on the incident, Pradesh Congress Committee president Sachin Pilot said it only showed how the law and order situation in the State had deteriorated. He demanded a high level inquiry into the episode and said the flow of weapons and drugs inside the jail was a serious issue which the government needed to answer.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also condemned the incident and said it was a reflection of the lack of governance. He also alleged that the purpose of a senior Cabinet Minister's visit to Bikaner jail last month should be investigated. This government came to power in the name of good governance. “Forget good governance, even governance is not happening now which has resulted in the criminal elements going scot free,” Mr Gehlot said while talking to reporters in the Vidhan Sabha premises.
The Rajasthan police launched massive search operations in all the major jails in the State for weapons, mobiles and rugs, and also stepped up security arrangements.
