Megharikh takes over Prisons Dept

Rao and Megharikh exchanged bouquets and batons in private in a meeting that lasted 20 minutes. At 4 pm, Rao in plainclothes, was seen rushing out of the Prisons Department and getting into his car when the media tried to seek his reaction on being asked to proceed on leave two weeks before his retirement.

Later, Megharikh told reporters that he was not new to the department as he was a member of a committee that looked into prison reforms in 2013. “I have assumed charge today. Since I was associated with some prison reforms earlier, I am quite familiar with the department. However, I have to assess the ground realities. I will discuss with the staff and officers. Whatever the government expects, we will expedite. We will not disappoint them,” Megharikh said.

Asked about the controversy over DIG D Roopa’s report on irregularities in the prison and the fracas with Rao, Megharikh said: “Let me study what was going on, especially what has been reported in the past few days, and accordingly we will take stock of the situation based on ground realities and will see how much is true, untrue and the need for reforms.”

Speaking about Vinay Kumar’s inquiry initiated by the government on prison irregularities, Megharikh said the government had ordered the probe and “we will extend our fullest cooperation”.

Asked about the special treatment extended to high-profile convicts like V K Sasikala and kingpin of the fake stamp paper scam Abdul Karim Telgi, Megharikh said, “We have to initially look into the ground realities and deal with them as separate cases. We need to also go by court directions.”

Speaking about protests in the jail, Megharikh said he is yet to talk to his officers and find out what has happened. “It could be due to some emotional outbursts which are normal in a prison and we will hear their woes,” he said.