GUWAHATI: The superintendent of Assam’s highly-secured Dibrugarh Central Jail was arrested by the police on Friday in connection with the recent seizure of electronic gadgets from the cell of National Security Act (NSA) detainee and Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh.
Police said Nipen Das, the jail superintendent, was arrested based on “digital evidence”.
During a search on February 17, the jail staff had recovered a smartphone with SIM, keypad phone, TV remote with keyboard, spy cam pen, pen drives, bluetooth headphone & speakers and smart watch from the NSA cell housing Singh and nine of his associates.
“During investigation, we learnt that there was some collusion between the jail superintendent along with staff and the NSA detainees. It was a difficult situation because electronic and sensitive materials were provided. The items increased their reach and access. We arrested him (Das) based on the digital evidence,” Dibrugarh Superintendent of Police VV Rakesh Reddy told journalists.
He said the police found the involvement of Das prima facie. He said the case would be investigated further as it is sensitive involving NSA detainees, not normal jail inmates.
“Things provided to him should have been as per the jail manual. However, items beyond the provisions of jail manual were provided. We had recovered the items from the NSA cell. We learnt more during investigation. However, we cannot share the details now,” the SP said.
He said a case was registered under Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code, Section 13(1)(b) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and Section 75 of the Assam Prison Act.
Asked about the health condition of the NSA detainees who have been on a hunger strike for the past few days, the SP said their health was being examined on a daily basis. He also said that three of them, who had problem, were admitted to the Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh and they were now fine.
