Jail superintendents among 6 suspended following raids

Lucknow, July 12 (UNI) Tightening its noose on illicit activities in jails of Uttar Pradesh, the state government today suspended six jail officials, including four superintendents.

Principal secretary (Home) J N Chamber said here that the government has suspended senior jail superintendents of Basti, Saharanpur, Faizabad and Mirzapur. Jailors of Meerut and Azamgarh jails were also suspended, while show cause notices were served on superintendents of Bulandshahr, Ghaziabad, Ghazipur and Gonda.

The suspension orders came after surprise raids were conducted on these jails recently by joint teams of DMs and SPs of the districts.

''I agree that illegal activities were taking place in these jails...the action would work as a deterrent on others who prefer benefits over their duty,'' the official said.

In most of the jails, obscene CDs and literature were recovered, besides cash and mobile phones/sim cards. In some of the raids, officials also recovered liquor, perfume and talcum powder.

In a bid to check the growing tentacles of prisoners in jails, the state government had handed over charge of some sensitive jails to IPS officials. The jail department was also brought under the control of the Home department.

UNI