Mumbai: Thirty years after his birth inside the Buldhana district prison, Sunil Ghule’s battle for dignity and basic rights is far from over. What began as a fight to correct a single word—“Jail”—on his birth certificate has now turned into a plea for his right to live with dignity, free from social stigma. Despite the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) acknowledging the injustice and ordering compensation, Ghule continues to face rejection—not only from authorities this time but also from his own village.

Sunil’s story traces back to 1995, when his mother, an undertrial prisoner in an attempted murder case, gave birth to him inside Buldhana District Jail. His father, Nivrutti Ghule, was also lodged in the same prison. “I was born to my mother while she was under trial. My birth took place inside the Buldhana Jail,” Ghule says quietly. His mother, accused alongside his father, was eventually acquitted. But the stigma of his birth never left him. When Ghule obtained his birth certificate years later, it recorded his birthplace as “Buldhana Jail.”

That single word, he says, destroyed every opportunity that came his way. “It followed me like a curse—in schools, in job interviews, everywhere,” he recalls. In 2023, Ghule approached the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) seeking correction of his birth records. The Commission’s order, dated May 3, 2024, became a landmark in recognising the emotional and constitutional weight of his fight.

Referring to the Maharashtra Prison Manual, the Commission observed that “births in prison shall be registered at the local birth registration office, but the fact that the child was born in a prison should not be recorded in the birth register.” Holding the authorities responsible, the Commission stated: “Even if the mother of the child is in jail at the time of delivery, the word ‘Jail’ should not appear on the birth certificate. Because of the mistake on the part of the authority, the complainant suffered for years—losing opportunities and dignity.”

The Commission not only directed the correction of Ghule’s birth certificate— now showing the name of his native village—but also ordered the state authorities to pay him Rs3 lakh compensation for the “mental torture and loss of livelihood” he suffered. Ghule’s moment of justice was short-lived. The State government challenged the Commission’s order in the Bombay High Court, arguing that he “was not in need of financial assistance” and had failed to provide documentary proof of mental and financial suffering.

The legal battle, Ghule says, has left him exhausted and hopeless. “I have lost faith in the system. The same State that wronged me for three decades now says I don’t deserve justice,” he laments. “I will argue my own case before the High Court. I don’t trust anyone anymore.” Even after his birthplace was corrected, Ghule says he continues to live as a social outcast. In his village of Nandura, Buldhana district, residents refuse to let him build a house or work. “The entire village has condemned me,” he says.

“I don’t get any job. They say I am born in jail, so I must be a criminal too. Even marriage proposals disappear once people know my background.” “I just want my fundamental right—the right to live,” he says. “I want the government to rehabilitate me in another village, somewhere I can live like a normal human being, without my past haunting my future.” Ghule’s case raises uncomfortable questions about how deeply bureaucratic indifference can scar a life.

A clerical error, perpetuated for decades, has denied him education, employment, and dignity—rights guaranteed by the Constitution itself. While the MSHRC tried to heal that wound with words of empathy and legal redress, the State’s challenge has reopened it—leaving Sunil in yet another limbo. “I was born in jail,” he says, “but it feels like I have never been freed.”

Kolkata, Nov 8: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is examining bank accounts linked to a network of shell companies allegedly used to divert proceeds of crime generated through the multi-crore human trafficking racket operating in West Bengal.

The ED unearthed information about these shell companies following raid and search operations conducted on Friday at six locations across different parts of the state. During scrutiny, officials found that large sums were deposited into these accounts and withdrawn within hours, suggesting layering and diversion of illicit funds.

Sources said that through the ongoing examination of these accounts, the investigating officers are attempting to trace the ultimate beneficiaries of the racket.

Meanwhile, the ED issued a statement on Saturday confirming that during the raids, cash worth over Rs 1.01 crore, several digital devices, and property-related documents were seized.

“Several bank account details under the use and operation of the accused/suspect persons have been identified. Two high-end luxury vehicles, including a Land Rover Defender and a Jaguar, have also been frozen under the provisions of PMLA,” the agency stated.

According to the ED, the organised trafficking network operated primarily through bar-cum-restaurants and dance bars in West Bengal.

The central agency initiated its probe based on multiple FIRs registered by Kolkata Police and the West Bengal Police against the key operators of the human trafficking racket under various sections of the erstwhile Indian Penal Code and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. The ED subsequently registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Investigations have revealed that the accused exploited vulnerable women under false promises of employment, coercing them into prostitution, and generating substantial illegal proceeds in the process.

The accused identified so far include Jagjit Singh, Ajmal Siddiqui, Bishnu Mudra, and their associates, who allegedly played crucial roles in the financial and operational aspects of the racket.

Akola, Nov 8: NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday in his reaction on the Pune land deal row involving Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s son Parth Pawar, said that a probe should be conducted and the truth must come out.

The senior Pawar said that as Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has stated that “it a serious issue”, an enquiry must be conducted into the land transaction by Parth Pawar’s firm Amedea Enterprises LLP and the real picture should be presented before society.

Sharad Pawar gave his reaction a day after Dy CM Ajit Pawar on Friday evening made an announcement on the cancellation of a sale deed for the land transaction in Pune’s upscale Mundhwa-Koregaon Park.

Sharad Pawar said, “I cannot say anything about this. But the chief minister has claimed it a serious issue and therefore an enquiry must be conducted in this and the real picture should be presented before society.

“The state government has formed an enquiry committee on this. Therefore, we should see what issues come to light from the report of this committee.”

To a question on how does he view this matter as Ajit Pawar is his nephew, Pawar said, “There is a difference between administration, politics and family. If you ask me as the head of the family, we fought elections against each other. One of my grandsons stood against Ajit Pawar. Ajit Pawar’s wife stood against my daughter. We do not bring family into politics, but our ideology.”

When asked about a soft stand taken by Supriya Sule on Parth Pawar in connection with the Pune land deal controversy, Pawar said it may be her view.

To a question whether an attempt has been made to target Ajit Pawar in the Pune land deal row, Sharad Pawar said, “I cannot say anything.”

Sharad Pawar’s comment is important as Dy CM Ajit Pawar was forced to intervene amid a chorus from the Opposition for his resignation and registration of a case against his son Parth Pawar in connection with the land deal.

“Not a single paisa was given in the land deal. The land deal transaction documents have been cancelled. The six-member committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary Vikas Kharge has been formed to look into the alleged irregularities and submit a report. I expect the committee to function in a transparent manner,” said Ajit Pawar.

He reiterated that there has been no money transaction in the Pune land deal. Two FIRs have already been registered in this regard and the police will hold the probe with transparency.

Ajit Pawar further stated that he was not aware of the transaction with regard to the Pune land deal and the committee would see how the registration of the sale deed took place.

Meanwhile, on Bihar Assembly elections, Shard Pawar said people want a change although Bihar is poor but its citizens are politically alert. “I won’t be surprised if the ruling alliance loses Bihar.”

On the Opposition’s strategy for local body polls in Maharashtra, Sharad Pawar said, “The decision will be taken unanimously.”