Came to Mangalore for work, but police arrested me: Jail inmate at 'Adalat'

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)

Mangalore, Mar 19: A 'Jail Adalat' interactive meet with the inmates of the district jail on Tuesday March 18 brought forth cases wherein the police had allegedly arrested innocents and cases wherein they were reportedly framed by others.

In one such case, a truck driver from Bagalkot narrating his story said, "I am truck driver. I had no job in my town. Hence, for the first time I came to Mangalore on Monday. Though I did not commit any offence, the police arrested me and sent to jail. Please let me out."

The driver, who has wife and children back home in Bagalkot, further explained, "I boarded a bus to Mangalore on Sunday March 16, and at around 4:30 am on Monday I reached Bejai KSRTC bus stand. As I saw Barke police patrolling the area, I got scared and tried to run away. That was my  only mistake. Police detained me and inquired. Though I showed the ticket, explained my plight and pleaded with them, the police did not budge. From two days I have been in jail, and my wife does not know about it. I do not even have a lawyer to defend me."

Another inmate said that he has been in jail for the past four months for scolding his wife. "She has now realized her mistake and comes to meet me here. She has said that she would withdraw the complaint," he said.

Among those who shared their grievances was an undertrial who said he had jailed for giving shelter to young lovers. "The Bajpe police arrested me based on a complaint filed by the girl's mother. Please protect me," he said.

Another youth said that he was arrested on charges of kidnapping a minor girl even though girl had come to him on her own will.

District jail superintendent P S Ramesh patiently listened to these and many more grievances and assured that all of them will be looked into and further action taken.

Earlier, first additional senior civil court judge B N Sunil Kumar Singh inaugurated the programme and said, "When you commit a mistake, you must admit it. Do not think of jail as a place for punishment. There are several facilities for the betterment of jail inmates. Even the Human Rights Commission has come forward to help. Make the maximum use of these facilities and programmes."

P S Ramesh told the inmates, "Jails are not centres for punishment, they are for transformation. When you are released from jail, you must promise yourself that you will not commit any crime anymore and that you will also join the mainstream of society."

Judges Mallikarjuna and B Ganesh were the chief guests. B Sukumar and Varadraj were present on the dais.

Undertrials Ashok, Jagadish, Chandrashekar and Rajesh led the prayers. Jailor S D Galli thanked the gathering.