Pramesh S Jain
Mandya:Amid the controversy over alleged VIP treatment being extended to an undertrial prisoner in a Karnataka jail,fresh allegations have surfaced against officials of the Mandya District Prison.
A letter allegedly written by inmates and circulating on social media claims that prison officials have fixed monthly rates for providing special facilities to prisoners.
The allegations are directed against Mandya District Prison Superintendent,Shantamma and other staff.
According to the alleged letter,different amounts are being collected from inmates housed in different cells:
Cell 1: ₹10,000 per month.
Cell 3: ₹15,000 per month.
Cell 4: ₹15,000 per month.
Cell 5: ₹5,000 per month.
Cell 6: ₹8,000 per month.
The letter also alleges that ₹2,000 is collected for changing a prison cell,while ₹10,000 is allegedly demanded to move a prisoner out of the punishment cell.
‘Catering’allegedly available for a price:
The inmates have further alleged that prison officials facilitate a catering arrangement for prisoners willing to pay.
According to the letter,mutton is allegedly supplied at ₹1,250 per kg and chicken at ₹700 per kg,with food prepared according to prisoners’demands after payment.
The letter also claims that prisoners who refuse to pay are threatened.
The inmates have reportedly urged DGP Alok Kumar to initiate an inquiry and take action against those responsible.
The allegations come shortly after a separate controversy involving the alleged preferential treatment of an undertrial prisoner in Mandya.
During a surprise inspection by the district judge,a key accused in a land-records-related case was reportedly found admitted to Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS) Hospital without apparent medical grounds.
The prisoner was allegedly staying in a special room, where a young woman was also found visiting or staying with him,despite there being no reported court permission for such an arrangement.
The incident had raised questions over the alleged granting of special privileges to prisoners.
The latest ‘rate card’ allegations have now triggered fresh concerns over the functioning of the Mandya prison administration.
However,the allegations contained in the viral letter are yet to be independently verified,and the prison authorities’response to the claims is awaited.
