A probe report has revealed that expelled AIADMK general secretary V K Sasikala was given preferential treatment in Bengaluru Central Jail, including specially cooked food and access to special cells. As per findings in retired IAS officer Vinay Kumar’s 2017 report on alleged irregularities prison officials violated provisions of the Karnataka prison manual for the close aide of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
According to RTI activist Narasimha Murthy, Sasikala achieved these privileges through hefty bribes. He said women convicts, who were staying in four of the rooms, were sent out"and all five rooms were given to Sasikala when she reached the jail on till February 14, 2017. He added: "There is no provision for cooking food in the prison, but jail authorities deputed a convict to cook for Sasikala. Ignoring the rules and systems in place, people came to visit her in groups, went to her room directly and stayed for 3-4 hours."
The report by Vinay Kumar said: "Through the evidence, we get a clear indication of some food cooking activity in the group of five cells made available to Sasikala." Former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) (Prisons) D Roopa Moudgil, who first exposed the favours given to Sasikala in Parapana Agrahara jail, said, "I stand vindicated as the panel's report also says there were serious lapses. My report was not accepted by the government, and instead I was transferred from the post."
