World Cup fever has gripped inmates in the city's jails. Inmates at Arthur Road Jail and Byculla Jail have begun placing bets on the Indian team who they say will win the cup this time.
Inmates at Byculla jail, which has eight television sets with cable connection, have been keeping a close tab on all the matches. Whereas those at Arthur Road, which does not have a cable connection, could only watch matches when India was playing. This is because Doordarshan only airs the matches in which India plays.
"There are around 16 barracks at Arthur Road and each other them has a television. The inmates have post-match discussions on match strategies. They are confident that India will win," said Rajendra Dhamne, superintendent of Arthur Road jail.
Jail sources said there will be no money involved in bets placed by the inmates. "The penalty for losing will be in the form of a personal favour," the sources added.
Officials in the Byculla jail said there are many women inmates who are ardent cricket lovers. "There are 200 women inmates who have been placed in six barracks and every barrack has a television. Similarly, the 130 men placed in two barracks also have a television," said Satish Karnik, superintendent of Byculla jail.
{{/usCountry}}Officials in the Byculla jail said there are many women inmates who are ardent cricket lovers. "There are 200 women inmates who have been placed in six barracks and every barrack has a television. Similarly, the 130 men placed in two barracks also have a television," said Satish Karnik, superintendent of Byculla jail.
{{/usCountry}}"We have written an application asking for cable connection at Arthur Road so that in the future the inmates can watch all the matches," added Dhamne.