Muzaffarnagar (UP), Apr 6 (PTI) The head warden of the Muzaffarnagar district jail has been suspended and departmental action has been initiated against four jail guards following the recovery of a mobile phone from incarcerated ex-MLA Shahnawaz Rana, an official said on Sunday.

Jail Superintendent Abhishek Choudhary confirmed the disciplinary measures and said that an inquiry revealed negligence on the part of these jail staff.

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The incident, which involved the recovery of a mobile phone from Rana's possession on March 26, prompted both an internal investigation and a police case against the former MLA.

"Head Warden Ram Swaroop along with four jail guards were during inquiry found to be negligent in their duty in district jail. While Swaroop has been suspended, investigations have started against the jail guards," said Choudhary.

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Rana was transferred to the Chitrakoot district jail on Saturday night. This transfer, confirmed by the jail superintendent, was carried out on the state government's directive for administrative reasons.

Rana was arrested on December 5, 2024, for obstructing GST officials during raids at a steel factory.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)