'Their own minister jailed...': Kiran Bedi on Satyendar Jain prison videos row

Delhi minister and AAP leader Satyendar Jain was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in May under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Ex Puducherry governor Kiran Bedi weighed in Wednesday on the row over jailed Delhi minister Satyendar Jain getting 'special treatment' and said such lapses were the prison administration's fault.

Bedi - who was Inspector-General of Delhi's prisons - acknowledged officials may be unable to act because 'their own minister is jailed'.

Jain was also minister of Delhi's prisons till he was arrested.

"It is prison administration's fault... it reports to the political system. How will they take action when their own minister is jailed? If rules permit… lieutenant governor (VK Saxena) can recommend suspension or dismissal..."

On the suspension of Ajit Kumar - the Tihar Jail superintendent who allegedly committed irregularities - Bedi said, "Maybe he did not know there are cameras everywhere in Tihar. Everything is recorded."

READ | Tihar prison official suspended over 'special treatment' for Jain

"Should be checked if he is also getting a salary. If he is drawing monthly salary, what is he doing? Has he opened office in jail? Who allowed it?"

Days later 12 officials posted to Jain's cell were transferred.

The prisons department rolls up under Delhi's elected government - which is the Aam Aadmi Party administration led by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal

The furore over 'special treatment' for Jain broke last month after the union home ministry sought a report from the Delhi chief secretary; the ministry was acting on input from the ED - that Jain had lavish facilities in prison.

READ | Row erupts as Satyendar Jain seen getting massage in Tihar

Since then CCTV clips from Jain's cell have been leaked, showing Jain getting massages and being served what seems to be food from restaurants.

Hindustan Times cannot independently verify these videos.

The latest - released today - shows Jain being served food from outside the prison. The video was released after Jain told a trial court he was being denied proper meals and had lost 28 kg as a result.

After the leak a jail source told ANI the minister had gained 8 kg.

READ | New footage shows Jain being served outside food; 'he gained 8kg'

Part of Jain's submissions to the court yesterday was that these videos were being leaked to the press to ensure he does not get a 'free and fair trial'.

READ | 'Even Ajmal Kasab got…': Jailed Delhi minister Satyendar Jain

The videos have triggered furious pushback from the BJP, which has attacked the AAP with one eye on next month's Delhi civic body election.

On Wednesday union minister Meenakshi Lekhi called for Jain to be sacked.

With input from ANI