VIP treatment in jail: Is Sasikala actually following in the footsteps of Amma?
After December 6, 2016 — the day J Jayalalithaa died — one person who actually managed to dominate the national discourse, every now and then, is VK Sasikala.
The latest "breaking news" involving Sasikala is that the AIADMK general secretary, after having been sentenced to four years of imprisonment in the disproportionate assets case, has allegedly bribed top prison officials to get special facilities inside Parappana Agrahara, the central prison in Bangalore. Her privileges also includes a special kitchen in the jail.
The DIG (prisons), D Roopa, has filed a complaint against the director general (prisons), HN Sathyanarayana Rao, accusing him and others of taking a bribe of Rs 2 crore to provide Sasikala the alleged “royal treatment".
In February, when Sasikala was about to surrender, she had made a list of requests - a separate room with TV, western commode, home-cooked food, mineral water, walking space, 24-hours running hot water, a help, A-Class barrack, 24-hour medical assistance and, finally, a place to meditate.
But it was seen that the court, headed by justice Ashwath Narayana, made it very clear that no VIP treatment will be given to her, but granted a few of her demands such as a cot, a western commode, a walking space, television and 24-hour water. This was while making clear that her other demands, including home-cooked food, were ruled out.
The DIG’s report to DGP RK Dutta is a clear indicator of violation of the court’s order and also against the laws of the prison.
As the media pressure started to pile, what unfolded in the state of Karnataka was a shameful "catfight" between the DIG and DG with each accusing the other.
The damage control for the "unexpected behaviour" of the two police officers came from the Karnataka chief minister, who not only promised an inquiry into the allegations, but has also given assurance of stringent action against the wrongdoer. This seems to have silenced some murmurs, even if for now.
Even though the government of Karnataka tried its best, the damage has been done and political parties in Tamil Nadu are having a field day.
“We have been witness to the AIADMK’s wrongdoings outside (public office), and now its leaders are doing that inside the prison as well,” criticised DMK’s working president, MK Stalin.
While the arch-rival worded his statement well, those who walked out of the AIADMK showing their disapproval for Sasikala also expressed their disappointment.
“They have a reputation of trying to bribe the Election Commission. So, this is not at all surprising,” said a supporter from the AIADMK's OPS faction.
But die-hard Sasikala loyalists defended their Chinnamma. "These are false allegations,” CR Saraswathi said, adding that there are no privileges that Chinamma wants, and she is only following in the footsteps of Amma.
Really?
Clarifying Sasikala's stand, her nephew Jayanand Divakaran, who has visited her multiple times in the prison, said, “There are two memos pending against DIG Roopa. There is a cold war going on between the DIG and the DGP in Karnataka. My aunt has become a scapegoat in this. Why would she need a kitchen worth Rs 2 crore. Let Roopa provide the evidence. She doesn't have clean records. I met my aunt recently. How will a prisoner be in a mindset to eat idli and dosa? They are unnecessarily dragging her name."
If Divakaran is to be believed, they are not going to take any legal action because "it's all rubbish".
This, however, is not the first time that rules have been allegedly flouted "in favour of Sasikala" at the Bangalore jail. Earlier, as many as 28 visitors allegedly came to visit her on 14 occasions in 31 days.
According to the Karnataka Prison Manual (KPM) and the Karnataka Prison Rules (KPR), a convict is eligible only once in 15 days to meet friends, relatives and advocates at the prison complex under the watchful eyes of a prison official.
While rules were blatantly violated in earlier instances, for now it seems like convict No 9234, Sasikala, is having a great time inside the jail — what they call a bird in a golden cage!