Pune: Additional Director General of Police Amitabh Gupta replies to criticism

Pune: Outgoing Additional Director General of Police -ADGP (Prisons and Correctional Services) Amitabh Gupta has replied to his critic. He said, “Many people criticised me for providing five-star facilities for prisoners. I do not get affected by such criticism. If you are lodged in a five-star hotel without a mobile phone, imagine what you would go through. Then these people will realise the difference between a jail and a five-star hotel.”

He was speaking at an interaction with members of the Pune Union of Working Journalists (PUWJ) in the city on Thursday. PUWJ President Pandurang Sandbhor, General Secretary Sukrut Mokashi and Pune Patrakar Pratishthan President Shailesh Kale were present.

Gupta spoke about his stint in Pune from the Commissioner of Police (CP) to the ADGP (Prison). He said, “I used to put criminals in jail as the CP. Later, I tried to solve criminals’ problems as the AGDG of the State Prison Department. As the CP, my role was to ensure security of citizens while I looked after the wellbeing of prisoners as the ADGP.

“During my stint as the CP of Pune, I effectively used social media and issued press notes in Marathi, Hindi and other languages. Thus, other media also took note of my work.

“I learnt a lot as the ADGP of the State Prison Department. I tried to change aspects that were being criticised. I also took measures to change the mindset of prisoners. I provided them facilities from the human rights angle. I corrected many anomalies.

“Many mobile phones were found in prisons across the State. A better facility of phone calling has now been given to jail inmates in 30 prisons. This curbed many malpractices. CCTVs have been installed in many jails, which ensured security and transparency. Small demands of inmates such as mattresses, sweaters, hot water, water cooler, washing machines, etc, have been fulfilled.

“Chess tournaments, Bhajan competition, etc, are now held in prisons. I devoted myself to my work. Due credit was given to good work. Many inmates have been reformed. I expedited work on new prisons in Palghar, Ahmednagar, Yerwada. It took me a month to settle down in my new role after my transfer from the Pune Police Commissionerate. I will spend my life after retirement in Pune.”

Gupta underlined the need to change the prison guidelines in the State.