Inmate missing from a prison is news. When ex-inmate’s s property goes missing from the prison, it’s big news. This is what happened at the Nalgonda district prison here on Wednesday.
Jail authorities suspect the role of at least two jailors and a prisoner.
According to Nalgonda I town Inspector Nigidala Suresh, prison superintendent M. Krishnamurthy approached them at around 11.30 p.m. on Tuesday and filed a complaint. “Three gold rings worth ₹60,000, belonging to Pranay murder accused Sravan Kumar, were missing. On the day the accused was transferred from Nalgonda to Warangal central prison, Jailor B. Jalander was on leave. Along with him, another Jailor (welfare) K. Anil Kumar and convict prisoner B. Ajay Kumar are suspects,” he informed.
Mr. Suresh after preliminary investigation, said his staff confirmed the custody as per the inward register. As Jailor Anil Kumar was not available till Wednesday evening, he said, a few things were unclear.
The officer said the statement of Sravan Kumar also remains to be recorded, to ascertain another version - that the jewellery was diamond-studded and valued approximately ₹6 lakh.
Sravan, accused number five in the murder of Perumalla Pranay Kumar in September 2018, now out on conditional bail, had approached the prison for release of his property, but was told they were missing. And allegedly, the authority tried to find a way over, but eventually reported to the police as nothing could be settled “over sentiment and devotional value attached to the ornaments,” according to sources.
DIG-Prisons, Hyderabad Range, B. Saidaiah, later said Sravan has cleared the confusion. “He himself told us the missing property is only three gold rings worth . ₹80,000-₹1 lakh approximately and not diamond rings. He also said news appearing in media is not true.”
“If the investigation reveals the jewellery was stolen, action will be initiated against officials, and if it is understood to be misplaced, the responsible person will compensate the value, Mr. Saidaiah said.
“Prison officials never write if the ornaments are silver, gold or diamond, or its value, just because they can’ t ascertain its quality or worth. Yellow or white metal, green, red or orange stones embedded in metal, are some descriptions used,” said a prison staffer requesting anonymity.