A number of inmates at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru on Tuesday continued their protest in support of Deputy Inspector General of Prisons D Roopa, who was transferred, reported The Hindu. They refused to have breakfast even as Superintendent of Prisons Anitha Rai visited the jail Tuesday morning.
D Roopa, who had alleged that All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief VK Sasikala had been given special treatment in the Bengaluru jail, was transferred by the Karnataka government on Monday. The prison’s Chief Superintendent Krishna Kumar had also been transferred after Roopa submitted her report.
The inmates have demanded Anitha Rai be transferred, saying she had reported to Kumar. Rai directed the prison staff to take corrective measures against protesting inmates, but they only relented when they were assured that newly appointed Additional Director General of Police NS Megharikh would take action in the matter.
Megharikh described the inmates’ protest as an “emotional outburst”. He said he would examine Rai’s reports before taking action. “I need to talk to the prison officials before initiating action,” he said. “I will take steps to improve the condition of the prisons and adopt the best practices in accordance with the prison manual and interventions by the Supreme Court and other courts.”
D Roopa’s prison report
Her report claims that AIADMK chief Sasikala paid Rs 2 crore in bribes to senior police officers for preferential treatment at the Bengaluru central. Director General (Prisons) HS Sathyanarayana Rao has been accused of providing the AIADMK leader with special facilities such as deputing inmates to cook food for her in a special kitchen set up for her.
The prison report has been submitted to the Karnataka government, additional chief secretary (home), the Anti-Corruption Bureau, the state inspector general of police and Rao himself. Siddaramaiah had ordered an inquiry into the allegations.
This is not the first time there has been speculation that Sasikala has had special privileges in jail. Earlier, in response to an RTI, the jail had revealed she was allowed visitors after 5 pm, which is after visiting hours.
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