PUNE: Pune-based YouTuber Santosh Pandit, who was recently released on bail, has made a series of startling revelations about his experience in custody, claiming that overcrowding and inadequate facilities are leaving a large number of undertrial prisoners languishing in jails.

Speaking to a news channel after his release, Pandit said his time in custody had given him an opportunity to see the conditions inside prisons at close quarters. He claimed that several inmates shared their personal struggles with him and that he realised many people were spending prolonged periods behind bars following similar legal action.

“After going to jail, I realised that many people are rotting in prison because of such action. Several people told me about their problems,” Pandit said.

He also claimed that Yerawada Central Prison, which he said has a capacity of around 2,000 to 2,500 inmates, is currently housing nearly 7,000 accused persons.

Pandit also spoke about the arrangements made for his own custody, claiming that the Kothrud police station, where the case against him was registered, did not have a lock-up. As a result, he said, he was shifted between different facilities during the initial days of his custody.

“I was kept at Yerawada jail on the first day, at Khadki on the second, back at Yerawada on the third and again at the Khadki police station lock-up on the fourth day,” he said.

Despite his experience in custody, Pandit said he had decided to continue raising public issues. He said he had considered giving up his activities while in custody, but changed his mind after witnessing the response from people following his release.

“I had thought of giving up everything while I was in custody. But when I came out and saw the response from people, I was very happy. I will not stop now,” he said.

Pandit also apologised for the abusive language used in his social media content and said he was willing to change the way he communicated his views.

“If I have used abusive words or hurt anyone’s feelings, I sincerely apologise,” he said.

Pandit maintained that he had no political affiliation or political agenda and described himself as an ordinary citizen raising issues concerning the public.

“I am not associated with any political party. I have no political agenda. I am a common man,” he said.

Pandit had been booked over an allegedly objectionable social media video targeting Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil. The complaint was filed by former BJP corporator Sunil Pandey, following which police registered a case against two suspects.