LUCKNOW: A surprise inspection by Banda district magistrate (DM) Anurag Patel of the district prison - where gangster Mukhtar Ansari is lodged - led to the suspension of deputy jailor Vireshwar Pratap Singh and four jail warders.
The deputy jailor allegedly not only tried to obstruct the surprise inspection by the DM but was found prima facie negligent of implementing the provisions of the jail manual. During inspection, the DM found mangoes, kiwis and dates in Mukhtar's cell.
The four suspended warders included Vijay Prakash Singh, Rajnish Kumar Yadav, Amit Madheshia and Mahendra Singh.
The Prisons department issued an order, a copy of which is in possession of TOI, stating that gross anomalies were found during inspection of Banda's DM and SP and that "hindrance was created during inspection by the deputy jailor and four warders".
Circle officer (city) Rakesh Kumar Singh said that when the DM entered the prison, he was made to wait while none of the jail warders on duty were found to be wearing a body-worn camera which is vital in the high-security prison. The cops were also not able to tell how to wear it and use it when asked by the DM to wear it.
