Attempt to cover up? 30 convicts shifted from Parappana Agrahara jail in a hurry
- 30 convicts shifted to different jails in an attempt to destroy evidences
- Jail officials are in fear of being exposed before the Interrogating Officer
- Convicts who allegedly provided information to DIG assaulted before shifting
- Family members restricted from meeting their inmates
FollowOver 30 convicts and undertrials were shifted out of Parappana Agrahara Central Jail on Sunday to various jails across the State, for allegedly leaking information about the alleged corruption and malpractices by jail officials to DIG Roopa, reports Kannada Prabha.
The convicts and undertrials were also allegedly assaulted by the jail officials before shifting them, it is reported. Retired IAS officer Vinay Kumar who heads the inquiry team will visit the jail on Monday and officially commence the investigation, it is expected. It is suspected that the shifting of convicts and undertrials in a hurry is to avoid the investigative team. In the report submitted by DIG (Prisons) Roopa, serious allegations were made on Parappana Agrahara Chief Superintendent Krishna Kumar also. Hence allegations were being floated that the convicts and undertrials were shifted other jails allegedly to destroy evidences, reports Kannada Prabha. Convicts were sent to Belagavi, Mysuru, Bellary, Dharwad and Vijayapura jails with special security on Sunday.
On Saturday, when DIG Roopa visited the jail, a group of inmates were protesting. At that time, there was heated exchange of words between Krishnakumar and Roopa. A group consisting of 700 to 800 inmates had demanded to speak to Roopa. However, Supervisor Krishnakumar had allegedly used the police force and sent them inside the barracks. It is reported that all those who shouted slogans supporting Roopa were assaulted by the officials. When the inmates were being shifted to various jails, they all had difficulty in walking, reports Kannada Prabha.
All attempts by Kannada Prabha to talk to jail officials proved futile as nobody was available. DIG Roopa had stated in her report that DGP Satyanarayana Rao had allegedly accepted heavy bribe from influential convicts like Sasikala Natarajan of Tamil Nadu and other such VIP inmates to provide all comforts at their cells. She had also submitted a second report to the State government’s chief secretary, General Secretary of Home Department and Inspector General of Police.
Meanwhile, the inmates were not allowed to meet the visitors on Sunday. Family members who had come to meet inmates, including a woman who had come to inform her husband about the death of his father was also not allowed to meet. She accused that the jail authorities were inhuman. Rajanna of Bellavi village in Tumakuru is a murder accused. His wife Aruna had come to inform him that his father died on Sunday but she was not allowed to meet despite pleading with the jail officials. Only when the media picked it up and reported did the officers relent and allowed Aruna to meet Rajanna. However, they have asked her to get permission from the court to permit him to attend the cremation.
As per rules inmates should get back to their cells after 5 pm. On Saturday, even at 8 pm, the inmates were outside the barracks. Police had to use force to send them back. At around 10 pm, police and jail authorities prepared a list of over 30 inmates to be shifted. They then visited each one of them and confiscated their mobiles and sim cards. Later, they were summoned one by one and allegedly beaten up by jail authorities.
Meanwhile, instances of favouritism at the jail are being revealed one by one. Now, it has come to light that six months ago, Srinivas, a rowdy sheeter from Subrahmanyapura, who is accused of murder, celebrated his birthday inside the jail by having his associates and family members present. What more, he cut a gun-shaped cake while his family members cheered on. This was allegedly permitted by the jail officials.
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