HYDERABAD: The AP State Human Rights Commission (APSHRC) today directed the State Government to pay Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the widow of Julakanti Srinivas Reddy alias Moddu Seenu, who was murdered in Anantapur district jail by a co-prisoner Om Prakash recently.
The Commission also directed the Jails department to shift the entire staff at the Anantapur jail and substitute them with staff at other jails in the State.
APSHRC Chairman B Subhashan Reddy told Express that Director General (Prisons) Lokendra Sharma had submitted his report on Seenu’s murder and the role of his staff in it.
‘‘He has admitted to lapses on the part of prisons staff and has named some of them who are already under suspension. Based on his report, the Commission has directed the State Government to pay Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the widow of Seenu before November 30 and submit a report to the Commission by December 1,’’ Reddy said.
He said that the Commission has also issued directions to the Government to construct separate cells in Anantapur jail to lodge prisoners and recruit more staff for the district jail.
Already, two warders and equal number of head warders besides a jailor and a deputy superintendent have been placed under suspension.
‘‘I suggested a major shake-up in Anantapur jail as other staff too might be involved,’’ Reddy said.
In his report to the Commission, Lokendra Sharma listed out the lapses in the jail. He also pointed out the severe manpower and physical constraints his department was facing.
‘‘The number of warders is far less than what is required in Anantapur jail. Out of 21 warder posts, there are 8 vacancies. How can just 13 warders keep an eye on 170 prisoners?’’ Lokendra Sharma is reported to have stated in his report.
He also admitted that it was very difficult to supervise the jail due to its design and inadequate manpower.
‘‘The jail is not meant for prisoners who require high security,’’ Sharma stated adding that he admitted the lapse on the part of the jail staff with regards to the presence of the dumbbell inside the barrack where the two were lodged along with four other prisoners.
