Purkayastha murder: Jailor suspended for granting parole to killer

Maharashtra Home department has suspended the then prison superintendent of Nashik prison for granting parole to convict Sajjad Mogul, who was serving life sentence in the sensational Pallavi Purkayastha murder case and later went missing.

Additional DG of Police (Prisons) BK Upadhyaya said that the suspension order of the then jail superintendent J S Naik was signed by CM Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday evening. 

“Based on the report of Deputy Inspector General (Jails) Rajendra Dhamne, who headed a probe into the incident, the Home department has decided to suspend Naik with immediate effect. He committed a grave error in granting parole to Mogul," Upadhyaya said. Naik was given charge of Amravati jail a few weeks back.

According to a source in the Home department, Naik was already facing a departmental inquiry for granting furlough to two persons, who were convicted in terrorism related charges and had escaped while out on leave. As per the jail manual, furlough is not granted to those who are convicted under such charges.

Mogul, a native of Jammu and Kashmir, had sought parole citing ill health of his mother in February, which was granted as per due procedure. He had then sought an extension of two months, Nashik Central Jail Superintendent Ramesh Kamble had earlier said.

The jail authorities informed Nashik Road Police that Mogul did not return after completion of his parole, following which a complaint was lodged against him on April 28.