Calls were made to J&K and Gadchiroli from jail

Nagpur: A highly confidential input of calls being made to the Jammu and Kashmir and Maoist-affected Gadchiroli from the Nagpur Central Jail has now prompted the security and intelligence agencies to deal the case from national security point of view. Sources also stated several calls were also made to Mumbai from anda cell and fasi yard.
Though CP Amitesh Kumar refused to comment on the call details, he said fresh targeted search at a few places was resumed inside the jail by solo police team under zonal DCP Sandeep Pakhale on Thursday night after some input was gathered during the custodial interrogations of the eight accused.
On Wednesday, around 150 cops and 50 officers searched the jail under the instructions of the CP. Though no mobile phone was found, some ganja was seized after which the jail authorities were prompted to replicate raids with their own actions.
The probe into the foiled attempt to smuggle cellphone batteries and ganja inside the Nagpur central jail earlier this week has started revealing surprising details raising serious security concerns. “Who had made those calls to Jammu and Kashmir, Gadchiroli and Mumbai are being ascertained. The ones who had received those calls are also being traced and are now under scanner of security agencies,” said a cop who is associated with the probe. “Even some cops had received calls from the Nagpur Central Jail which we are now probing. We may initiate disciplinary actions,” said a senior official.
Eight accused in the case are now being grilled at crime branch which included suspended sub-inspector Pradeep Nitnawane and his brother constable Sachin.
Maharashtra control of organized crime Act (MCOCA) accused Kawale, who too is being grilled now in custody remand, was caught taking the batteries and ganja inside the jail after returning from court on Monday. He was found trying to sneak inside the jail with the prohibited materials inside his chargesheet file.
Though so far the jail’s vigilance cell had found only one mobile phone during searches and police team came across none, the question remained unresolved about the possibilities of more mobile handsets inside the jail. Attempt was made to take 15 mobile phone batteries inside the jail which indicated presence of at least 10-12 handsets in which they can be used. “The volumes of calls being made also indicated presence of more numbers of handsets inside the jail,” said an official.
Amid the ongoing controversy and allegations of serious security breaches, deputy inspector general of prison, eastern region, Swati Sathe was shifted to Pune on Wednesday. Though unconnected, she was relieved to join in her new posting.
CP Kumar said legal opinions are being sought to invoke MCOCA in the case. “The entire standard operating procedure (SOP) of handing over the files from the court to the jail inmates would be overhauled now,” said the CP.
Cryptocurrency mastermind Nishit Wasnik and his aides were searched in the latest operation in the jail for using mobile phones but nothing was found. Gangster Ashish Kothulwar too was searched after evidence of his using cellphones came to fore but handset was not traced during the search. Names of Raju Dube and Ajit Satpute too have come to fore and were searched.