Byculla Jail Inmate Murder: Woman Constable Secures Bail from High Court

The Bombay High Court has granted bail to woman police constable Surekha Gorakshanath Gavle, who was arrested in 2017 for her alleged involvement in the murder of Byculla jail inmate Manjula Shetye. The court noted that while Gavle’s alleged involvement in the crime could not be dismissed, her constitutional right to a speedy trial was paramount.

In its ruling, the court highlighted that the prolonged delay in the trial process, which had spanned several years, was a key factor in granting her bail. The high court stated that a delay of such magnitude in bringing the case to trial violated her right to a fair and timely hearing under the Constitution.

Gavle was arrested along with several other jail officials after the 2017 incident, where Manjula Shetye was found dead in the Byculla prison under suspicious circumstances. The prosecution had accused Gavle and other prison staff of involvement in the inmate's death, alleging physical abuse and mistreatment. The case attracted significant attention due to the brutal nature of the alleged crime and the involvement of law enforcement personnel.

The case has been ongoing for several years, and the grant of bail marks a crucial development in the legal proceedings surrounding the Byculla jail murder case.