IGP declines to provide details, calls it ‘administrative affair’
PANAJI
“Hardened criminal” Suleman Siddique Khan’s saga has snowballed into a major controversy with fresh allegations surfacing that he continues to enjoy VIP treatment inside Colvale Central Jail. Questions are also raised that despite his mobile phones being seized, the accused allegedly made calls to his contacts including journalists from inside the state-of-the-art modern and progressive prison.
Reliable sources revealed to The Goan that Suleman’s calls to the media were from the jail’s phone booth.
While the Goa Police, on Friday, stated that Suleman’s mobile phones were confiscated – a move that came after his calls, reports indicate he continued to make calls even after the seizure.
“Usually, a prisoner is permitted to contact only three pre-approved numbers via the facility’s phone booth. Suleman was swiftly approved and issued a calling card by prison officials. That same evening, he was already making calls to the media,” the source said.
In what could be a serious lapse, the jail authorities reportedly failed to verify the numbers provided by Suleman, allowing him to contact journalists instead.
Moreover, he has been boasting about his high-level political connections while simultaneously portraying himself as a scapegoat in the controversial SIT lock-up escape case.
The accused, now moved to the Punishment Cell, claimed in a telephonic conversation with Prudent Media that his escape was orchestrated by the police to divert public attention from the job scam. He further alleged that he had been trapped in a wider political conspiracy.
Sources further confirmed that despite his reputation and the gravity of the allegations against him, no additional security has been in place outside his cell.
When contacted by The Goan, Inspector General of Prisons Omvir Singh declined to divulge details stating it was the Prison’s administrative affair. “The corrective measures have been taken following the calls,” was his only comment.
