Kalmadi given single occupancy at Tihar
What's your name? What is your source of income, if any? Do you have any physical identification mark?
What's your name? What is your source of income, if any? Do you have any physical identification mark?
These were among the 15-odd queries, part of a mandatory jail drill for new inmates, put to former CWG Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi (67) on Wednesday afternoon shortly after his arrival at the high profile Tihar Jail on being remanded to judicial custody by a city court.
Kalmadi, a former Indian Air Force pilot who saw action in the Indo-Pak wars in 1965 and 1971, was also asked by a jail warden to give "details of his educational qualifications, job experience and sources of income, if any, among other basic queries," according to a jail source who requested anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media.
The source added, "We ask these questions to keep written records for our own administrative purposes as per jail rules."
"Based on the first letter of his name, S, and the name of the court that remanded him to judicial custody, he was assigned to sub-jail number 4 in Tihar," said the source. Kalmadi, after an interview with a jail doctor for the mandatory medical examination meant for a new inmate, was lodged in a 15feet by 10feet cell. Another jail source said he has "sugar-related problems."
Kalmadi has been provided single occupancy in the cell that is located in ward number 15, which is known as the 'Vipassana ward' as yoga classes are being held there. His cell has an indoor bathroom, a television set and a ceiling fan, wooden cot, bed sheets, blankets and access to newspapers and magazines on request.
Kalmadi was arrested by the CBI last Monday for his alleged involvement in the award of the contract of Timing, Scoring, & Result (TSR) system by the OC to a Swiss firm at an inflated cost (Rs 107 crore) by restricting/eliminating competition.
His neighbours include two co-accused in the case who were arrested along with him, OC's deputy director general (procurement) Surjit Lal and joint director general (sports) ASV Prasad. OC's former secretary general Lalit Bhanot and director general VK Verma are lodged in sub-jail number 3.
A blue police van transported Kalmadi to the jail. Kalmadi's lush, silver Audi, which had accompanied him on his visits to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters for questioning, was missing along with the usual retinue.
At 6 am and 7 pm, daily, he will have to answer to a headcount by a head warder.