Mumbai: The special TADA court has asked the Arthur Road prison to provide adequate security to Munaf Halari, an aide of Tiger Memon, facing trial in the 1993 bomb blast case. Halari, who has been listed as accused no 147 in the 1993 bomb blast case, had approached the special court to direct the prison authorities to lodge him in solitary confinement named ‘Anda Cell’ until the conclusion of the trial. However, the prison authorities objected to this.
Halari had allegedly acquired scooters which were used to plant bombs. He was arrested on February 20, 2020 and lodged in Sabarmati jail, Ahmedabad, and on June 2, he was shifted to Mumbai.
Accused Seeks Solitary Confinement Citing Threats from Rival Gangs and Extremist Inmates
After being shifted to Arthur Road prison, Halari expressed threats from fellow prisoners. In his plea filed through Ayush Pasbola, he claimed that in the Mumbai Central Prison, he had threats from rival gangs, affiliations or enmities within the prison, associations with extremist or terrorist organisations, and influential inmates with vested interests.
Prosecution Cautions Against Prolonged Solitary Confinement, Refers to Maharashtra Prison Manual
The prosecution did not object to the plea. Still, it was submitted that keeping the applicant in solitary confinement for such a long period may be against the rules, regulations of the Maharashtra Prison Manual.
The prison authority, however, strongly objected to the plea, stating that the Mumbai Central Jail can accommodate 999 prisoners, but at present, there are 3461 prisoners. It is further contended that, in the High Security Cell, there is a capacity of keeping only 31 prisoners, but at present there are 43 prisoners.
