Bengaluru, Aug 31 (IANS) Karnataka’s Mandya Jail Superintendent Shanthamma was transferred to Ballari Central Prison with immediate effect on Monday following serious allegations of providing VIP treatment to inmates. The action came after an undertrial prisoner was reportedly found with a female visitor while undergoing treatment at a hospital. State DGP (Prisons) Alok Kumar issued the transfer order following the allegations.
The action comes amid allegations of special treatment being extended to undertrial prisoners and a purported rate list for various facilities inside the Mandya prison. The alleged irregularities came to light following a surprise inspection by the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority (KSLSA) at the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS) Hospital.
During the inspection, undertrial prisoner Mohammad Hussain was found staying in a special ward without an apparent valid medical reason. He was also reportedly found with a female visitor while undergoing treatment at the hospital.
The incident triggered scrutiny over the manner in which prisoners were allegedly being provided special facilities. Questions were also raised over the alleged involvement of prison officials in facilitating such privileges.
Meanwhile, a petition purportedly signed by around 80 inmates of Mandya Jail has surfaced, containing allegations of a “rate list” for various facilities inside the prison. Copies of the purported petition were reportedly circulated among the media, bearing the signatures, thumb impressions and undertrial prisoner (UTP) numbers of inmates.
The petition allegedly mentions monthly payments for specific cells, with Rs 10,000 allegedly being collected for Cell-1, Rs 15,000 each for Cells-3 and 4, Rs 5,000 for Cell-5 and Rs 8,000 for Cell-6. It also alleges that Rs 2,000 was charged for changing rooms and Rs 10,000 for getting out of the punishment cell.
The purported petition further alleges that food items could be arranged for inmates in exchange for payment, quoting Rs 1,250 per kg for mutton and Rs 700 per kg for chicken. It also contains an allegation that inmates who failed to make payments were threatened with being “sent to the gallows”.
Following the viral circulation of the thumb-impressed petition, Alok Kumar visited the Mandya prison and questioned inmates as part of the inquiry.
However, initial findings by jail authorities have raised questions over the authenticity and circumstances surrounding the petition. Officials reportedly suspect that the signatures and thumb impressions may have been collected from inmates under the pretext of seeking basic canteen facilities, rather than for the grievances mentioned in the purported petition.
Alok Kumar said the contents of the letter are being verified and that the allegations would be investigated.
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge, meanwhile, termed the purported petition an unauthorised slip and said all aspects of the matter should be investigated, including who released it, how a mobile phone was allegedly brought into the prison and whether the document was circulated from outside.
The inquiry is currently underway to ascertain whether the allegations of VIP treatment, illegal collections and special facilities for prisoners are substantiated.
–IANS
mka/dpb