First, it was photographs of a well-stocked jail cell belonging to convicted AIADMK (Amma) General Secretary VK Sasikala that made headlines. The pictures that showed the jail cell stocked with stainless steel vessels, several clothes, a mosquito net, a cushioned mattress among others, triggered outrage that the AIADMK (Amma) supremo was getting special privileges and treatment at the Parappana Agrahara Jail in Bengaluru, where she is serving her four-year jail sentence in the Disproportionate Assets Case.
The next leak was a video that showed a corridor reserved for the AIADMK leader. Then, another footage showed Sasikala accompanied by her sister-in-law Ilavarasi walking along the corridor of the Central jail. Both inmates were not wearing the prison uniform, with Sasikala wearing a brown salwar and carrying a paper bag in one hand, while Ilavarasi is seen wearing a red saree.
The latest CCTV footage that has now surfaced shows guards at the prison opening what appears to be the main gate as Sasikala, wearing a brown salwar and Ilavarasi dressed in a pink saree casually stroll into the prison. The video also shows R Anita, who was earlier in-charge chief superintendent of the Central Prison, walking into the prison before the two inmates. Anita was transferred to Dharwad Prison in July following DIG D Roopa’s report alleging VVIP perks given to Sasikala.
Though it is unclear when the footage was taken and which portion of the jail it is from, the video has raised questions on whether Sasikala and Ilavarasi had left the Central Prison in connivance with prison officials.
Speaking to TNM, Megharikh, DG Prisons said, "I have not seen this video you are talking about. The one-man commission probing the issue is still probing the allegations. Once the commission submits the report, we will know what exactly happened in the prison."
"I have asked for some more time to submit the report. Once I am done with the probe, the media will be briefed. It would be a breach of protocol to say anything conclusively when the probe is not over," retired IAS officer Vinay Kumar, who is heading the probe.
The latest leak comes just two days after DIG Roopa submitted 74 enclosures including photos and videos to the Karnataka Anti-Corruption Bureau, which is probing the allegations of special treatment to Sasikala.
DIG Roopa was summoned by the ACB on July 31. She was given a questionnaire to which she submitted her reply along with the evidence on Saturday.
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