Jalindar Supekar, a senior IPS officer serving as the Special Inspector General of Police in the Maharashtra Prisons Department, has been relieved of his additional duties as Deputy Inspector General of Prisons for the Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur divisions. This action comes after his name cropped up in the Vaishnavi Hagawane dowry harassment-suicide case.
The Maharashtra Home Department stated in an order on Thursday that the post of DIG in the Prisons Department is "important" and carries "responsibilities," and Supekar was being relieved of his additional charges "considering the importance of these posts."
Additionally, the state government had asked the Additional Director General (Prisons) to probe allegations levelled by social activist Anjali Damania that Supekar was trying to shield the accused in the Vaishnavi Hagawane case.
Damania has said that Supekar was given the additional charge despite an alleged ₹500-crore scam in the purchase of ration and other materials for prisons in the state.
At a press conference, the activist also alleged that Supekar had helped the Hagawanes get arms licences. “He had also helped Nilesh Chavan, a friend of the Hagawanes, get an arms licence even when there was a case against him. This must be fully investigated,” she added.
Incidentally, Supekar is the uncle of Vaishnavi’s husband, Shashank, who is behind bars, along with his mother, father, sister, and brother.
Meanwhile, Supekar has denied the allegations levelled against him.
