It’s a completely changed world for Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad — now qaidi no. 3312 in Birsa Munda Central Jail in Hotwar, after his conviction in the fodder scam. However, being a VIP prisoner he is getting the best inside the jail. His small cell virtually turns into a drawing room with an unending stream of party leaders, mostly from Bihar, visiting him.
Lalu, who had enjoyed sprawling government bungalows, now has to confine himself to a 10 ft by 10 ft cell having a bath, bed, table and chairs.
Before Lalu, the cell was occupied by former Jharkhand CM Madhu Koda. It’s ironical that the prison was inaugurated by none other than Koda himself.
Senior RJD leader and MP Raghuvansh Prasad Singh visited Lalu and gave him a copy of the Bhagavad Gita. Singh advised him to read it as Mahatma Gandhi used to keep the Gita along with him in the prison. Lalu’s night sleep was apparently not comfortable due to bedbugs though he has got a mosquito net.
Prison IG Shailendra Bhushan said two prisoners have been appointed for cooking food and other help for Lalu. He will be given food consisting of 350 gm rice, 117 gm pulses, 233 gm vegetables, 233 gm potatoes, 467 gm curd or milk, 29 gm ghee, and two fruits daily. In the mornings, jail authorities provide him newspapers.
Lalu has demanded cable TV in his cell. “The demand for cable connection by Lalu has been forwarded to the State government,” said Bhushan. Lalu has also asked for a fridge in his cell to keep his medicines.