Pune Gangland: Gangster Moin Qureshi and Accomplices Face Charges for Assaulting Inmate Shailesh Jadhav
By India Crime Correspondent
PUNE, September 22, 2009,
The Yerawada police have taken legal action against incarcerated gangster Moin Qureshi and his two associates.
They have been accused of reportedly assaulting another inmate, Shailesh Jadhav, a former armyman turned ISI agent, within a police van on the premises of Yerawada Central Prison.
The incident is said to have taken place on August 11. The move to book Qureshi came in response to a directive from a sessions court, prompted by Jadhav’s complaint of the assault. Jadhav also informed the court about threats to his life issued by the assailants.
Former Armyman Linked with ISI Agent Sayeed Desai
Shailesh Jadhav, who previously served as a Hawaldar with the Indian Army, had been arrested by the crime branch in February 2008 for his connections with ISI agent Sayeed Desai.
A resident of Kenjal village in Wai taluka of Satara district, Jadhav had faced dismissal from service due to his involvement in a fraud case amounting to Rs 1.5 lakh during his tenure in Jodhpur.
His subsequent court-martial led to a two-year imprisonment in Yerawada jail. While incarcerated, he established ties with Desai. Jadhav was released from jail in November 2006.
Links to Notorious ISI Agent: Events Leading to Assault
Further investigations revealed that after escaping police custody in Sahakarnagar on January 24, 2008, Desai found refuge at Jadhav’s residence in Wai.
Jadhav had in his possession crucial printouts of emails and phone numbers linked to the defense department.
Consequently, Jadhav was arrested in February 2008. Subsequently, Desai was apprehended by the city crime branch in Kolkata.
Both Desai and Jadhav have been detained in Yerawada prison ever since.
Accusations of Multiple Assaults and Retaliation
Assistant Police Inspector Machhindra Dangade of Yerawada police station reported that Jadhav had been assaulted by the suspects on two occasions.
The first incident transpired within the prison on June 12 as they were en-route to the Shivajinagar court for their respective hearings.
The second episode took place on August 11. The assailants allegedly held Jadhav responsible for implicating Desai in the case.
Dangade stated, “Pursuant to court directives, we have registered a complaint against Qureshi and his two associates under section 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons) of the IPC.” The case will be investigated, and a report will be submitted to the court.
Prison Officials Address Incident and Judicial Orders
Superintendent of Yerawada prison, S V Khatavkar, emphasized the institution’s commitment to prompt action and compliance with court instructions in case of incidents on prison premises.
He asserted, “If an incident takes place on the premises of the prison, we inform the court immediately and take action as per the directions of the court.”
Criminal Background of Moin Qureshi
Moin Qureshi is no stranger to criminal charges, with a record containing as many as 17 cases related to murder, attempted murder, and extortion filed against him.
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