In a turn of events, Munna alias Mohammed Ali Khan met a gruesome end at the hands of fellow inmates in Kolhapur Central Prison. He was beaten to death on Sunday morning. Mohammed Ali Khan was a convict in the infamous 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts case. Is this redemption?
The Episode Unfolds
The chilling episode unfolded shortly after the prison’s morning attendance was recorded around 6:30 am. As Mohammed Ali Khan went to bathe near a water tank at circle number 2, he was ambushed by five undertrials. An argument quickly escalated. The attackers repeatedly bludgeoned Mohammed Ali Khan’s head with a manhole cover. They left him dead on the spot.
Kolhapur SP Mahendra Pandit confirmed the act. He stated that the five undertrials involved are currently facing charges under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). The identified assailants are Deepak Netaji Khot, Saurabh Vikas Siddha, Pratik alias Pilya Suresh Patil, Sandip alias Bablu Shankar Chavan and Ruturaj Inamdar.
Quick Justice?
The Kolhapur police quickly apprehended the suspects. They promptly lodged a murder FIR at the Juna Rajwada police station and charged the accused under Sections 302 (murder) and 353 (causing disturbance in government work) of the IPC. The determined assailants overpowered jail personnel, despite their efforts to intervene.
Police Inspector Sanjivkumar Zade from Rajwada police station reported that a special task force has expedited the investigation. The court swiftly approved police custody for the accused.
1993 Mumbai Blasts ft Mohammed Ali Khan
Mohammed Ali Khan hailed from Mumbai. He was serving a life sentence for his role in orchestrating the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts. They were a series of 12 devastating explosions that rocked the city and resulted in massive casualties and destruction.
Investigators are delving into the motives behind this act. Initial reports suggest that the attackers did not belong to the same gang and had no known prior disputes with Mohammed Ali Khan. This has led to speculation about deeper conspiracies and potential hidden agendas.
A Troubled Prison
This is not an isolated incident at Kolhapur Central Prison. Earlier this year, a fellow prisoner killed another inmate, Satpal Singh. Additionally, prison authorities have recovered multiple contraband items, including cellphones and narcotics, in recent months.
After a recent sweep uncovered a dozen cellphones and SIM cards, the state Prison Department took decisive action, dismissing two prison officers and nine guards for their involvement in facilitating these illegal activities.
The death of Mohammed Ali Khan at Kolhapur Central Prison raises questions about prison security and demonstrates the efficacy of swift judicial action. As the investigation progresses, authorities face immense pressure to uncover the truth and ensure comprehensive and transparent justice.