Sasikala holds regular durbar in jail, Roopa says in report

DHNS
July 16, 2017

Bengaluru, Jul 16: V K Sasikala, the convicted Tamil Nadu politician, enjoys the services of a cook inside her cell on the first floor, sources said, quoting a report submitted by DIG (Prisons) D Roopa.Sasikala

The jail staff have also given her a special room with a table and chair. Four chairs for visitors facilitate regular “office-like” meetings with Sasikala, the report purportedly says.

Sasikala’s “office” is located next to the office of a female jail superintendent in charge of women’s barracks. Roopa learnt about the arrangement from a staffer, after which she inspected the spot and prepared the report which she later submitted to the state police chief Rupak Kumar Dutta, the Home Secretary, the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) and her immediate boss, the DGP (Prisons) H S Sathyanarayana Rao.

Her enquiries revealed that prison staff let in more visitors than allowed in the manual. Rules about duration and frequency of visits were also violated. Other VIP prisoners have been provided similar facilities.

The report says two senior officials, attached to the Bengaluru and Belagavi prisons, had prodded inmates into protesting against her after she exposed jail irregularities. She has sought stringent action against them.

Footage vanished?

Roopa suspects systematic efforts to destroy evidence of irregularities at the Parappana Agrahara jail.

Her second report purportedly says CCTV installed at the barracks had been deliberately rendered dysfunctional. The CCTV cameras do not cover visitor rooms with cameras 7 and 8 remaining broken, a source quoted her report as saying. A significant amount of ‘select’ footage has also been deleted from the DVR at the headquarters of the Prisons Department.

The prison authorities have deleted crucial footage that could have proved her charges. She had used a video camera from the department to record the statements of inmates on June 28 and July 10, and entered the details in the prison dairy, but much of it has vanished, the report indicates.

Roopa had lunch with the inmates and even shared her phone number with them when she came to know of irregularities inside the prison. The report says she had asked a jail employee to send her the footage.

When nothing came, an enraged Roopa questioned the staffer, who said her seniors had prevented them from handing over the footage to her. When she persisted, she was given a pen drive with nothing significant.

The report purportedly says Roopa then came to know the footage had been deleted at the behest of her seniors.

Footage covering the barracks and visitor areas have been erased, the report complains.

Comments

wellwisher
 - 
Monday, 17 Jul 2017

Mr Shettar , state chief minister comments his just to understand our blind fold bjp criminal mind leaders that a hindu never play communal mind politics and game for his personal sake. He always work for his mother lands development and for citizens better future. There is no criminal game like bjp leaders.

Please try to understand the meaning i/o of teasing.

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News Network
April 28,2020

Bengaluru, Apr 28: With fresh guidelines on the COVID-19 lockdown expected soon, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Monday chaired a meeting with key ministers, officials and Deputy Commissioners of districts and discussed about re-starting economic activities in the state, as he took stock about of the pandemic.

"At the video conference with DCs, CM took stock of COVID-19 situation and measures taken to control its spread. Discussions also happened regarding starting of certain economic activities in parts of the state," official sources said. The state government would take any decision in this regard after the Centre issues fresh guidelines or directives, they said, without elaborating.

The meeting came hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video conferencing with Chief Ministers to discuss the situation arising due to COVID-19 in the country, which is under lockdown since March 25 to contain the pandemic. Only nine chief ministers spoke in the virtual meeting with the Prime Minister and Yediyurappa did not get an opportunity.

A senior Minister, who attended the meeting told PTI, necessary directions regarding the lockdown after May 3, they were likely to come in a couple of days.

"Most of the Chief Ministers wanted the lockdown to continue to contain the spread.... nothing concrete emerged, but we expect the necessary directions will follow in couple of days. This is what we expect after seeing what has happened as a followup to three to four such video conferences in the past," he said.

The Minister said the larger opinion was that the current measures should continue and interstate or inter-district movement should not be allowed. Regarding movement within the districts that are green zone, some decision may be taken soon, he said, adding the Prime Minister also asked states to concentrate on reforms, aimed at attracting investments in the days to come.

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News Network
April 3,2020

Mangaluru, Apr 3: The Dakshina Kannada district administration’s decision to ban use of private vehicles, excluding permitted categories, from Friday for effective implementation of lockdown, began showing results since morning itself.

Mangaluru City Traffic Police and Dakshina Kannada district police erected several pickets at vantage places on arterial roads to check those moving without a valid reason. Several two-wheelers were seized during the checking while a few car drivers were let off with a strict warning.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic), M Manjunatha Shetty, who was supervising a picket at Hampankatta, said that movement of private vehicles has drastically reduced in the city.

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News Network
May 12,2020

Dubai, May 12: Free tickets are being offered by philanthropists and businessmen based in the UAE for deserving Indians who want to fly home.

Repatriation ticket prices have been set at around Dh700 to Dh750 per person depending on the destination. But there are many in UAE who cannot afford it, especially people who have lost their jobs or have medical concerns.

Malayalam Communications Ltd and its Malayalam stations (Kairali TV & Kairali News) are giving away 1,000 tickets free. Those who wish to apply can submit their application to [email protected].

Indian businessman Dhananjay Datar, chairman & managing director of Al Adil Trading Company, is also giving away 300 tickets. He is liasing with the Consulate General of India (CGI) for the names. “This is the time we need to rise as a community,” he said.

Besides taking care of airfares, Datar will also bear the cost of COVID-19 testing fees for Indians from the UAE.

“The repatriation efforts undertaken by the government of India is one of the largest initiatives. I am just doing a small bit to help the community. There are many people who are not in a position to meet the airfare and COVID testing costs as they have lost jobs. I will be coordinating with authorised entities handing this to lend my support,” he said.

Pravasi India Forum, a welfare organisation in UAE, is giving away 100 tickets. The NGO on Monday, May 11, uploaded a registration form where people can provide their details. “Tickets will be given to those approved by CGI and for those who are in financial distress,” said Abulaise, president of Pravasi Welfare Forum.

Punnakan Mohammed Ali, general secretary Incas UAE committee, said it is also ready to give away hundreds of free tickets but only to genuine candidates. “We will evaluate each individual and only if they are approved by the consulate, we will give the tickets. But we are ready to help.”

Those who want to register can get more details on www.pravasiwelfareforum.com.They can also call 055-1025611.

Need for more flights

The gesture notwithstanding, many Indians are still waiting to get news on their repatration.

Social worker Shukoorali Kallangal, President, Abu Dhabi Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC), urged the government of India to add more flights to accommodate more passengers.

“Emergency repatriation services are the need of the hour. There are several expats with medical, financial distress. For those who came with the hope of a job – that too is a thing of the past now. Right now all they want is to go home and start something afresh there.”

Kallangal said: “Take the case of pregnant women. In many cases, their husbands have lost jobs or have been asked to go on unpaid leave. They are living hand to mouth and cannot afford medical costs. Due consideration should be given to them.”

Sreedharan Prasad, another social worker based in Ras Al Khaimah, said he is currently dealing with several emergency medical cases.

Consul General of India Vipul said plans are afoot to add more flights in the next phase of Indian repatriation. “The number of flights are being decided by India in consultation with state governments. This is not a normal situation we all are in. We are in the middle of a pandemic situation.”

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