MLA rape case: Warden gets death threats

The warden of Banda district jail Shahnaz Begum, the lone jail staffer who had spoken out against rape accused Bahujan Samaj Party Member of Legislative Assembly Purshottam Naresh Dwiwedi during the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department probe, has alleged that she was getting death threats from her seniors.

In the wake of her allegations, Additional Director General (Prisons) V K Gupta said that that an inquiry has been ordered into the matter.

"I have been getting death threats from seniors, including the jailor and deputy jailor. I have also been removed from ail duty," alleged Begum, the warden of Banda district jail where the rape victim was kept.

She also alleged that during the course of the CB-CID probe, she was asked by her seniors to keep her mouth shut.

Shahnaz was the lone jail staffer who spoke against BSP MLA Purshottam Naresh Dwiwedi during the CB-CID probe.

She also threatened to immolate herself to protest against her alleged harassment.

"Whatever I have said is true and I will stand by it. I now want to be transferred from here (Banda)," she told reporters in Banda.

"Though the allegation seems to be very vague as the jail warden had not conveyed her fear during the visit of the National Commission for Women and even the CB-CID, we have ordered an inquiry into it," Gupta said.

He said Inspector General of Prison Yogesh Shukla has been asked to probe the allegations and submit his report by Monday evening.