The News Minute: Karnataka: Friday, July 14, 2017.
The explosive
report submitted by IPS officer Roopa on special privileges allegedly doled out
to AIADMK General Secretary Sasikala at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison
in Bengaluru has triggered a huge war. The DIG Prisons’ accusation that
Sasikala bribed her way into gaming the system, has angered her supervising
officer - the DG of Prisons, Satyanarayana Rao.
In a Press
Conference in Bengaluru on Thursday, Satyanarayana Rao slammed Roopa for her
report, which points a finger at him. Roopa, for her part, also held a press
conference; she stood by all her allegations, and said she’s open to an
investigation on her report.
Here’s a
blow-by-blow account of the DG vs DIG war that’s brewing in Karnataka’s prisons
department.
Was
Sasikala given special treatment in prison?
DG denies: No one in the prison is being given
special treatment. No bribes were taken. Let her prove who took the bribe, when
and where. All these are false, baseless and wild allegations. Sasikala has
been lodged in an ordinary women’s barrack on the first floor of the prison. No
matter how much influence is being used, we are not relenting, and have curbed
visitation to once in 15 days.
DIG
challenges: I went to
the prison for inspection after the assault on the medical staff was reported.
Since no report was filed, I did not want any lapse on my behalf. Hence, I
conducted the inquiry. There are eight points in my letter and all of it has
proof. Let there be a fact-finding inquiry to see if I am lying or not. Then
the truth will come out.
Was the
report a media stunt?
DG’s
charge: The DIG of
Prisons, IPS officer Roopa, had sent the letter to me after the office hours
were over. The letter did not reach me, and I did not know about the goings-on.
She could have had a discussion with me instead of going to the media. I have
advised her before to not take prison matters to the media, as these are
sensitive issues. If a subordinate officer has made an observation, she should
come to me instead of going to the media.
DIG’s
response: The letter
reached the DG’s office sometime between 4.30 and 5pm the very day I wrote it.
It reached before end of office hours. The written letter was meant to inform
the DG of the findings of the inquiry, which is why I wrote him the letter. I
have not violated any rules under the Official Secrets Act. All the information
in the report can be given out if an RTI application is filed. I am not unaware
of the laws. I do not have any vested interest in filing the report. I had
written to my superior and asked him to address the rumours that are doing the
rounds. What does it mean when he says I did not inform him?
The threat
of legal action
DG’s
threat: This is the
first time the DIG has been posted for prison duty. She does not have
experience and does not know how to go about doing things. I will take legal
action against her for spreading false news against me.
DIG’s
retort: What does he mean
by the ‘she doesn’t know anything?’ The government is not going about posting
IPS officers for prison duty who lack the acumen. I have been a police officer
for 17 years now. It is silly to say I don’t know anything.
The
insubordination charge
DG’s charge: IPS officer Roopa was supposed to
attend a meeting organised by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on June 29. I had
explicitly asked her to attend the meeting. Instead, she went to Parappana
Agrahara. I have sent her a memo, asking her to explain her actions.
DIG’s
response: The DG
himself has handed over the supervision of the Central Prison to me. I was just
doing my duty.
‘What’s
new about drugs?’
DG’s
justification: Ganja
smuggling is not new in prisons. There are many addicts in there. We conduct
regular checks and have filed multiple complaints against offenders at the
Parappana Agrahara police station, whose officers are probing the cases. If any
lapse is found on behalf of prison staff, they too have been punished in the
past. I do not have anything more to say.
DIG’s
rejoinder: Yes, ganja
smuggling is not a new issue in prisons; I was just keeping the DG informed
about those who were violating the rules.