DIG Prisons D Roopa who exposed VIP treatment to Sasikala in Bengaluru jail has been transferred to the traffic department.

Reacting to the sudden transfer, Former Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy said, "Surprised. I think this govt (Karnataka govt) wants to protect illegal activities."

The transfer comes days after Karnataka government ordered probe into DIG Roopa Moudgil's report in which she had disclosed that 59-year-old Sasikala was getting royal treatment in the women's cell where she has been lodged since February 15 to serve her sentence. She had also claimed that the AIADMK chief gets special food daily, cooked by special chefs in a special kitchen near the women's cell. She also revealed that special treatment was extended to Abdul Karim Telgi, convicted in fake stamp paper scam. She made these allegations in a report submitted to DGP (prisons) HS Sathyanarayana Rao. (zeenews.india.com)

She was served a notice by the state's Congress government asking her to explain why she reported the issue to the media. "It is absolutely against the rulebook", Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, expressing open displeasure over public comments by D Roopa on her report, which brought her superior and other prison officials under a cloud of bribery allegations. On being asked about her transfer to the Road Safety and traffic department, he mentioned that it's an administrative process and it's not necessary to disclose everything to the media.

As per the order, Roopa Moudgil has been posted as Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Commissioner for Traffic and Road Safety, Bengaluru. Also, DGP Prisons, H N Sathyanarayana Rao who was accused of corruption, has been transferred. (indiatvnews.com)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DZxGa89f2s

The never ending revelations

In the second report she submitted on Sunday, Roopa highlighted the state of affairs pertaining to maintenance of the central prison, and alleged that crucial CCTV recordings of VIP treatment given to Sasikala appear to have gone missing. According to her report , Sasikala was given a separate room with chair and tables so she can conveniently talk to her visitors. Alleging massive irregularities and rampant corruption in the central jail on the city's southern outskirts, Roopa said drugs were being distributed to the inmates through various means and select prisoners were given special facilities. (indiatvnews.com)

Satyanarayana Rao, against whom Ms. Roopa cast aspersions in her letter, has also submitted a report to the State government alleging that the source of ill will between prison officials and Ms. Roopa stemmed from her dissatisfaction over division of work between senior officers in the department. (nyoooz.com)

Meanwhile, senior retired bureaucrat Vinay Kumar is expected to begin his probe into the irregularities in prison, including special facilities being extended to AIADMK general secretary V.K. (nyoooz.com)

CBI has sought a high level inquiry into allegations that AIADMK general secretary V K Sasikala had paid Rs 2 crore to some jail officials for being given preferential treatment at a prison in Bengaluru where she has been lodged. (ptinews.com)

Indian Politicians currently in jail

A detailed study on the facilities that politicians enjoy in the jail will help understand the Indian jail system and whether it is really corrupt. The decision to transfer Roopa Moudgil may have been a procedural requirement but is it essential to make sure that the rich and the powerful don't get preferential treatment in the jail system to uphold the tenet of equality of the Indian Constitution. And hopefully the inquiry ordered by Government of Karnataka into the report is not aimed at delaying at addressing the issue of Indian politicians misusing the system for their own benefit. At present, following are some of the prominent Indian politicians languishing in jail on varied charges:

Mohammad Shahbuddin - RJD - Corruption and murder

Rasheed Masood - Congress - Medical Recruitment Scam

Chhagan Bhujpal - Nationalist Congress Party - Money Laundering Case

Om prakash Chautala - INLD - Teacher Recruitment Scam

Maya Kodnani - BJP - Spread communal tension during Naroda Patiya Massacre

It is to be investigated if these politicians are availing any preferential treatment in jail while serving their sentence.