Sasikala bribegate: Did DIG Roopa give her report without visiting Sasikala's cell?

DIG prisons, Roopa had levelled serious allegations that senior officers took bribes to give special treatment to AIADMK leader Sasikala But her diary entries do not make any mention of irregularities. In fact, she had a word of appreciation for the prison staff for the facilities

The controversy surrounding bribegate in Parappana Agrahara as raked up by DIG Rooopa against her senior DGP Satyanarayan Rao has taken a new twist with Roopa being blamed for making allegations without having "first-hand information".

DIG Roopa had claimed that senior officers took bribes to provide special treatment to AIADMK leader Sasikala who is housed in the prisons. But now fingers are being pointed towards the IPS officer, questioning whether she had actually visited the women's barrack before levelling such allegations.

According to Kannada Prabha, Roopa, after she took over as DIG of Prisons, had visited the Parappana Agrahara twice on June 23 and July 10. On both the occasions, she visited the prisons kitchen, hospital and men undertrials barrack. But she had not visited Sasikala's cell on both the days.

So, there is no substance in Roopa's allegations that Sasikala was being given preferential treatment in the prisons, reports Kannada Prabha quoting Prisons senior officer.

In fact, the court had ruled that it is left to the discretion of the prisons' supervisor to provide 'A' grade facility to Sasikala. Yet, Sasikala has the same facilities as other inmates of the jail. She is housed in 10/15 ft cell in the women's barrack, reports Kannada Prabha.

Besides, Sasikala is facing over 30 cases in Tamil Nadu and in this regard her lawyers have to frequent her in the cell. There were allegations that Sasikala had allegedly fed poison to then chief minister late Jayalalithaa. Against this backdrop, Sasikala's security has been heightened.

There are five prison staff who constantly monitor her cell. Also, food brought to her cell in lunch boxes as there is a threat to her life. Apart from this, there is no special treatment to Sasikala, officials clarified to Kannada Prabha.

Meanwhile, Roopa, after visiting the jail, had in fact praised the facilities provided at the Central prison in the visitors' diary. Also, she has not pointed out on any lapses in the diary, reports Kannada Prabha quoting prisons officials.

Under June 8 entry in the diary, Roopa has made a couple of suggestions that a few convicts should be transferred to barrack and also they should be given more time to play. There was no mention of irregularities. A copy of the diary entry is with Kannada Prabha.

The chief warden of Parappana Agrahara Krishna Kumar has denied Roopa's allegations claiming the officer seems to have not read the Prisons Manual while making the "baseless allegations," reports Kannada Prabha.