Hyd: Owaisi alleges Rs 2-cr bribe to secure bail; Prisons Dept denies charge
Hyderabad, Oct 4 (TNT): AIMIM President and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi alleged that a rowdy-sheeter accused in the murder of advocate Khaja Moinuddin secured bail after allegedly paying a Rs 2 crore bribe to the Superintendent of Central Prison, Chanchalguda, while the Telangana Prisons Department rejected the allegations as baseless.
Owaisi alleged that the jail superintendent had colluded with the accused, who was recently released on bail, and was extending cooperation to him in planning further attacks.
He alleged that the accused had paid Rs 2 crore to the superintendent to secure bail and demanded strict action against those involved in the murder of innocent persons.
Reacting to the allegations, the Telangana Prisons Department, in a press statement on Sunday termed the charges against the Chanchalguda superintendent “baseless, false and without any factual foundation”.
The department clarified that grant of bail was solely the prerogative of the competent court and that jail authorities had no role in granting or deciding bail for any accused or prisoner.
The prison administration only implements orders issued by competent judicial authorities in accordance with prescribed rules and procedures, it said.
The department said any specific evidence supporting the allegations could be submitted to the competent authority for verification and appropriate action in accordance with law.
It also said decisions relating to admission, custody, movement and release of prisoners were taken strictly in accordance with applicable laws and prison rules.
The department said unauthorised gatherings or meetings of prisoners were not permitted inside prison premises and that prisoners were segregated and managed based on security classification and institutional requirements.
The prison administration remained vigilant against criminal activity, intimidation, conspiracy or misuse of prison facilities and would take strict action against any prisoner or staff member found violating prison rules or facilitating unlawful activities, it said.
It categorically denied permitting any prisoner to use prison facilities to plan or coordinate attacks outside the prison.
The department reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability and security in prison administration and to ensuring the safety of prisoners, prison staff and the public.
TNT TS
