New probe likely into how Sasikala got jail comforts

The Lokayukta or the Anti-Corruption Bureau could soon investigate how AIADMK leader Sasikala was granted undue comforts at the Parappana Agrahara prison.

Sources said an inquiry report submitted by former IAS officer Vinay Kumar in October 2017 had suggested a separate inquiry into the corruption charges levelled by IPS officer D Roopa.

Following a widely reported intra-departmental fracas, Roopa had said jail bosses had pocketed Rs 2 crore to spare Sasikala jail hardships.

The government had ordered an inquiry by Vinay Kumar in the wake of the controversy. He submitted his report on October 21, 2016.

"The report says Roopa's allegations are not backed by evidence, and suggests an expert agency look into them,'' a senior official in the home department told DH.

Home minister Ramalinga Reddy is said to have cleared the decks for a separate inquiry, as recommended.

Sources said the report was now with the additional chief secretary (home) and the government would soon take a decision to refer the case to the Lokayukta or the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

Sasikala was convicted in a disproportionate assets case in which the late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa was also implicated. Sasikala is serving a term at Parappana Agrahara central prison in Bengaluru.

A report by D Roopa, then DIG (prisons), referred to talk that Rs 2 crore had changed hands to help Tamil Nadu politician Sasikala enjoy special comforts in jail.

Roopa had submitted a report on July 12, 2017, to her boss H N Satyanarayana Rao, then DGP (prisons), and also pointed fingers at him. Rao had dismissed the allegations as "absolutely false, baseless and wild".

Listed among the special privileges was a special kitchen inside the jail, where Sasikala got her food cooked. Roopa had visited the prison on July 8, 2017. Two of Sasikala's relatives, V N Sudhakaran and Ilavarasi, are also in the same prison.