When it comes to visitors, Raja, Kanimozhi score over Kalmadi

While VIPs make a beeline to the prison to meet former telecom minister A Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and other accused in scams, sacked Commonwealth Games OC chairman Kalmadi, is the least visited by his colleagues or friends.

The three-time MP from Pune spends much of his time in a 10x12 feet cell in jail number four contrary to others including Raja and Kanimozhi who have a visitor almost on a daily basis. The jail visitor's book reveals that the list of visitors in case of Kalmadi, in judicial custody since May four on charges of cheating, conspiracy and corruption in the award of Games-related contracts, include his wife, son and his advocate.

In contrast, DMK leaders have lined up in front of Gate No 3 on Jail Road that leads to Jail No 6 and Jail No 1 where Kanimozhi and Raja are lodged. The last was DMK leader and former Union minister T R Balu and five other party leaders including Alagiri who had turned up yesterday at Tihar premises.

Traffic police have been posted near the jail due to these frequent visits. "There was never such crowd in Gate No 3. Every second day there is a big queue of vehicles parked on both sides of the road that compels us to divert the traffic," a traffic police officer who mans the Jail Road said.

Kalmadi, Kanimozhi and Raja have separate cells inside the jail. Officials cited security reasons for them being kept in solitary confinement. All three do not expect a VIP treatment and follow jail rules like any other inmate.

"Except for Raja who has home-made food, Kalmadi and Kanimozhi are not bothered by the vegetarian food served in the jail," a jail official said.