'Bhoiwada lock-up unsafe for Nayak'

TNN / Mar 16, 2006, 10:11 IST

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Cops believe that Nayak should be shifted to a central prison as he can be kept away from criminals.

MUMBAI: Suspended encounter specialist Daya Nayak is an unwelcome guest for the Bhoiwada police. Nayak is lodged in the two-storey Bhoiwada lock-up but the police there have told additional sessions judge Suman Mahajan they want Nayak and his co-accused Rajendra Padate taken off their hands for security reasons.
Inspector Sunil Parab told the court that Nayak should be shifted to a central prison since it would be more spacious and he can be kept away from criminals.
The first floor of the lock-up is reserved for female inmates and the second floor houses the Anti-Terrorist Squad. Nayak is lodged alone in a cell on the ground floor, with several other suspects in adjoining cells.
"There are many criminals in the adjoining cells and Nayak could be in danger in the police lock up," Parab has told the court.

However, Nayak is not looking forward to the shift. Opposing the attempt to shift Nayak to a prison, such as the one at Arthur Road, his counsel said, "Will the state take responsibility if something happens to Nayak."
He pointed out that the Bhoiwada lock-up has nearly 15 empty cells which are used as store rooms. Nayak, who has killed over 83 gangsters in encounters, fears that criminals housed in Arthur Road Jail and other prisons may try to get back at him.
His lawyer also cited the example of Best Bakery witness Zahira Shaikh who has been kept at the Bhoiwada police lock-up although she is in judicial custody.
Public prosecutor R V Kini said that Nayak's apprehensions were baseless as he would be provided with adequate security in the jail. The case will now come up for hearing on Thursday when the court will also decide on Nayak's bail plea.

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