Bengaluru: Four days after the state government appointed retired IAS officer Vinay Kumar to head the fact finding committee to look into the irregularities inside the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, as alleged by DIG D Roopa Moudgil, the officer made his first visit to the prison on Wednesday.
Accompanied by Additional Commissioner (crime) of Police S. Ravi and Chief Superintendent of Central Prison Mysuru, Mr Kumar visited the cells of jailed AIADMK leader V.K. Sasikala and multi-crore stamp paper scam kingpin Abdul Kareem Telgi, following reports of the duo enjoying preferential treatment at the prison. The committee members also visited the kitchen area and CCTV control room at the prison. The committee members also spoke to the prisoners and jail staff to get first-hand information on the developments happening inside the prison for the last one week. Besides seeking information on the preferential treatment to VIP inmates, the officer also questioned the staff about the deleted video footage of Sasikala’s cell as claimed by Roopa in her letter. Following a notice from the National Human Right Commission on the “inhuman treatment” meted out to 32 prisoners by the shunted out chief superintendent of the prison Krishna Kumar and their shifting to different jails in a hasty manner, Mr Kumar reportedly inquired about the reported assault on the prisoners on allegations that they passed on information about irregularities inside the prison to DIG Roopa.
While Mr Kumar did not reveal much about the inspection to the media, he, however, said that he had the reports submitted by Ms Roopa and the committee will look into all the allegations. “I cannot reveal anything now as the inquiry has just begun. The government has given me a week to submit a preliminary report and a month to submit a detailed report. Once the inquiry is completed, I will let you know,” he said. Meanwhile, it is learnt that Ms Sasikala, who was enjoying a comfortable stay in the five separate rooms provided to her, is coping with the prison’s ordinary life. After pictures of her cells were leaked to the media, the jail staff is said to have shifted her to a single-room cell. Similarly, the luxury facilities from Telgi’s cell too are said to be withdrawn.
No political link helped vinay land job
Mr Vinay Kumar recently retired as secretary of cooperative department, Union government. At the time of his retirement, he was holding the rank of chief secretary. Though it was not clear as to why he was selected to head the team to investigate irregularities at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, sources in the government said that he was no-nonsense officer who did not identify with any political party or group. “As an officer, he maintained distance from everyone and kept aloof. Many retired senior officers are holding one office or the other. A few have joined political parties. So, it is quite natural to zero in on an officer who maintains low profile and, more importantly, not identified with any group. Mr Kumar seems to have fitted the bill,” sources explained.
Revanna yet to take charge
While N.S. Megharikh took charge as the ADGP & IGP of the prisons department on Monday, H.S. Revanna, who is appointed as the DIG (prisons) in place of Ms Roopa, is yet to take charge. Mr Revanna was supposed to take charge on Wednesday afternoon but did not turn up at the office. He may assume office either on Thursday or Friday, sources said.
