₹500 Cr Jail Scam Rocks Maharashtra
• Jail Scam Explodes: Politicians, Officers Named
• Prison Corruption Trail Leads to Top Officials
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098
Raju Shetti has alleged a ₹500 crore scam in Maharashtra’s prison department, accusing officials like Amitabh Gupta and Jalindar Supekar of corruption and linking Supekar to Tejas More, a close aide of Devendra Fadnavis. Shetti claims political shielding is preventing investigation and has demanded a CBI and ED probe.
Explosive Allegations Against Fadnavis Camp in ₹500 Crore Jail Scam
In a major political bombshell, former MP and Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana leader Raju Shetti has alleged a ₹500 crore scam in Maharashtra’s jail department over the past three years. Addressing a press conference in Kolhapur, Shetti accused the state government of deliberately shielding senior officials involved in procurement irregularities in prisons, including former Additional Director General of Police (Prisons) Amitabh Gupta and Jalindar Supekar, the then Inspector General (Prisons).
Contents
₹500 Cr Jail Scam Rocks Maharashtra• Jail Scam Explodes: Politicians, Officers Named• Prison Corruption Trail Leads to Top OfficialsExplosive Allegations Against Fadnavis Camp in ₹500 Crore Jail ScamShetti: “Fadnavis Ignoring Evidence, Refusing to Meet Despite Repeated Requests”Procurement Irregularities, Fake Tenders, and Missing AccountabilityWho Is Tejas More? Criminal Background, VIP Access Raise Red FlagsAlso Read: BCCI Bowled Out: Bombay HC Upholds ₹538 Cr Kochi Tuskers Win.History of Political Patronage for Accused with Criminal RecordsSprouts SIT View: Systemic Corruption Requires Independent Probe
Crucially, Shetti alleged that Supekar’s connections with Tejas More, said to be close to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, are central to why no action has been taken despite repeated complaints. He claimed the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) was informed multiple times in writing about the scam but has failed to initiate an inquiry, indicating political shielding of the accused.
Shetti: “Fadnavis Ignoring Evidence, Refusing to Meet Despite Repeated Requests”
Raju Shetti revealed that he has made several attempts to meet Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis to discuss the scam but was repeatedly denied an audience—even for five minutes. “The CM keeps telling the media that if evidence is presented, action will be taken. But for the past two days, I’ve been waiting outside his Mumbai office and haven’t been granted a meeting,” Shetti said.
According to Shetti, this refusal to engage, coupled with vague responses from senior bureaucrats like the Chief Secretary and Home Secretary, signals an intentional effort to suppress the investigation. “This is no longer an administrative issue—it’s a political cover-up,” Shetti asserted.
Procurement Irregularities, Fake Tenders, and Missing Accountability
The scam reportedly involves large-scale irregularities in the procurement of canteen items, ration supplies, and equipment for state prisons. Over the last three years, approximately ₹500 crore has been siphoned off through fake tenders, inflated bills, and direct collusion between officers and private players.
Shetti claimed that despite clear evidence of misappropriation, no serious investigation has been undertaken. He demanded that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) initiate a probe into the assets and transactions of key officials, including:
•Amitabh Gupta, ex-ADGP (Prisons)
•Jalindar Supekar, ex-IG (Prisons)
•Satyawan Hingmire, Pune administrative officer
•Prashant Matte, Jail Superintendent
•Shahubibhushan Darade, Jailer
•Gaurav Jain, Clerk
•Sunil Dhamal, Yerwada Superintendent
•Atul Pattekari and other Yerwada Jail staff
The Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) has learned from sources that internal audit reports may have flagged discrepancies, but no public disclosure has been made.
Who Is Tejas More? Criminal Background, VIP Access Raise Red Flags
Central to Shetti’s allegations is Tejas More, reportedly linked to Supekar and frequently seen at ADG (Prisons) offices and senior officers’ bungalows in Mumbai’s Byculla area. Despite having no official designation or contractor status, More is said to wield significant influence over prison-related administrative decisions.
Shetti claimed that More has multiple FIRs registered under Sections 409 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code for criminal breach of trust and fraud. Yet, he allegedly enjoys VIP access in the state Secretariat, with his car (MH-01-EJ-2707) entering without any security screening—something even elected MLAs must undergo.
“It’s as if the government considers him a son-in-law,” Shetti sarcastically remarked, questioning how an individual with a criminal past could bypass security protocols and influence state-level administration.
Also Read: BCCI Bowled Out: Bombay HC Upholds ₹538 Cr Kochi Tuskers Win.
History of Political Patronage for Accused with Criminal Records
Raju Shetti drew parallels with previous scandals involving individuals with criminal backgrounds allegedly protected by the state. He named Munna Yadav, former chairperson of the Construction Workers Welfare Board, and Sunil Zanwar, the main accused in the ₹1,200 crore Raisoni Co-operative Credit Society scam, as examples of how the state has previously shielded tainted figures.
According to Shetti, the jail scam is yet another case where political influence has overridden administrative accountability. “The government has lost moral authority. If they have the courage, let them order a free and fair inquiry through ED and CBI,” he demanded.
The Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) has begun further inquiries into procurement records and internal communications from the prison department, as early evidence suggests systemic collusion at multiple levels.
Sprouts SIT View: Systemic Corruption Requires Independent Probe
This is not an isolated incident. The Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) has long tracked corruption in prison management, especially in areas involving procurement and contract allotment. Sources suggest the racket could extend beyond Mumbai to prisons in Pune, Nashik, and Nagpur.
Analysts warn that unless political interference is curbed and independent investigations launched, such corruption may become institutionalized. With ₹500 crore allegedly embezzled from prison budgets—funds meant for rehabilitation, food, and security—the implications for inmate welfare and public trust are profound.
