After Sasikala row, 32 convicts shifted out of Bengaluru central prison

Sources said, 21 convicts were shifted to Ballari and the rest to Belagavi on Saturday night, because they had raised issues over the functioning of the jail.

Amid the controversy over alleged bribery by AIADMK leader VK Sasikala for privileged treatment in Bengaluru central prison, 32 inmates were shifted out because they allegedly complained to deputy inspector general (prisons) Roopa D Moudgil on Saturday.

DIG prisons had on Wednesday written a letter to the director general (prisons) HN Sathyanarayana Rao saying she had heard accusations that a bribe of Rs 2 crore had been paid to give Sasikala privileged treatment. (PTI)

Sources said, 21 convicts were shifted to Ballari and the rest to Belagavi on Saturday night, because they had raised issues over the functioning of the jail.

Moudgil had on Wednesday written a letter to the director general (prisons) HN Sathyanarayana Rao saying she had heard accusations that a bribe of Rs 2 crore had been paid to give Sasikala privileged treatment, such as a separate kitchen, apart from other violations.

This had led to a furore, with Rao accusing Moudgil of making baseless and wild allegations.

A probe has been ordered into the matter by chief minister Siddaramaiah. However, the issue continues to simmer.

During Saturday’s visit by Moudgil, around 800 of the 4,000 inmates of the prison aired their grievances. Some complained that they had to pay a bribe to get into good barracks and also that they were assaulted by staff and other prisoners, sources said.