Yerawada Central Jail
The British constructed Yerwada Central Jail in 1871 on land that lay outside the city limits of Pune. This massive facility now covers 512 acres and houses over 5,000 prisoners as of 2017. It stands as one of the largest prison complexes in South Asia today. The main high-security area is protected by four tall walls that divide the campus into various security zones. Inside these walls lie egg-shaped cells designed specifically for high-risk inmates. News reports from 2003 exposed severe overcrowding and poor living conditions within the complex. These revelations prompted the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission to issue an official notice regarding the state of the facility.
Mahatma Gandhi spent several years imprisoned at Yerwada during India's freedom struggle against colonial rule. He was arrested in January 1932 and began an indefinite fast on September 20th of that year. His protest targeted the Communal Award for depressed classes which he opposed. Gandhi ended his fast after signing the Poona Pact with Dr. Ambedkar inside the jail on the 24th of September 1932. He remained incarcerated until his release in May 1933. During the Quit India movement of 1942, many other nationalist fighters joined him here. Kisan Mehta and numerous freedom fighters from the Bombay Province were also detained within these walls. Earlier figures like Netaji Subhas Bose and Bal Gangadhar Tilak had been held in this same location under British authority.
The period between 1975 and 1977 marked a dark chapter when political opponents faced detention at Yerwada Central Jail. This era known as the Emergency saw Indira Gandhi's government imprisoning dissenters across the nation. RSS chief Balasaheb Deoras found himself locked behind bars alongside Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Pramila Dandavate and Vasant Nargolkar were among the many others held during this time. The facility became a central holding point for those challenging the state of emergency declared by the ruling party. These detentions represented a significant shift in how political opposition was handled within the prison system of Maharashtra.
Notable criminals and terrorists have passed through the gates of Yerwada Central Jail over recent decades. Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt served his sentence there starting in 2007 with prisoner number C-15170 assigned to him. Former underworld don Arun Gawli began his political career while serving a life sentence for murder inside these walls. Scammer Abdul Karim Telgi also spent time incarcerated here before his release. Ajmal Kasab, the attacker involved in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, was jailed in 2008. He was eventually hanged and buried within the premises on the 21st of November 2012. These high-profile cases brought international attention to the security measures maintained at the facility.
Major Paul arrived at Yerwada from Kolhapur Jail between 2002 and 2008 as a smuggler from Singapore. While imprisoned he studied law and became a noted activist fighting for prisoners' rights. His legal petitions to the Bombay High Court led to the release of scores of wrongly detained individuals. One specific achievement involved changes made to Prison Furlough rules through his own application filed in court. After his release he continued social work focused on prison reform from Pune. His story inspired a television episode titled Prayaschit shown on Sony TV. Major Paul is now an Ordained Pastor of the Protestant Church who continues advocacy work.
Over 150 inmates grow organic vegetables on more than five guntha of land outside the main jail complex. This produce gets sent directly to the central prison and the women's prison located nearby. A cow shed housing thirty cows provides manure used in these farming activities. The facility also operates its own textile mill where nearly 5,000 clothes are produced daily. Around 150 inmates including women participate in stitching these garments for distribution across state jails. In 2007 staff planted 8,500 sandalwood saplings within the central premises while adding 9,000 Ashoka trees to the open jail area. An Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre opened on the 2nd of October 2008 to address HIV concerns among inmates.
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Common questions
When was Yerwada Central Jail constructed and where is it located?
The British constructed Yerwada Central Jail in 1871 on land that lay outside the city limits of Pune. This massive facility now covers 512 acres and houses over 5,000 prisoners as of 2017.
What happened to Mahatma Gandhi at Yerwada Central Jail during September 1932?
Mahatma Gandhi began an indefinite fast on the 20th of September 1932 inside the jail to protest the Communal Award for depressed classes. He ended his fast after signing the Poona Pact with Dr. Ambedkar inside the jail on the 24th of September 1932.
Who were some notable political figures detained at Yerwada Central Jail during the Emergency period between 1975 and 1977?
RSS chief Balasaheb Deoras found himself locked behind bars alongside Atal Bihari Vajpayee during this era known as the Emergency. Pramila Dandavate and Vasant Nargolkar were among the many others held during this time when Indira Gandhi's government imprisoned dissenters across the nation.
When was Ajmal Kasab executed and where is he buried within Yerwada Central Jail?
Ajmal Kasab was jailed in 2008 following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. He was eventually hanged and buried within the premises on the 21st of November 2012.
What legal reforms did Major Paul achieve while incarcerated at Yerwada Central Jail between 2002 and 2008?
Major Paul studied law and became a noted activist fighting for prisoners' rights after arriving from Kolhapur Jail. His legal petitions to the Bombay High Court led to changes made to Prison Furlough rules through his own application filed in court.