BENGALURU: Though DIG (Prisons) Roopa’s report on the ills plaguing the central jain at Parappana Agrahara has received appreciation in public domain, the manner in which the senior cop handled the issue has not gone down well with former top cops of the state. The report could even boomerang on her, they contend.
Reacting to the shocking developments, two retired top cops said that submitting a report is not a big deal. Being a DIG-rank officer, she has a responsibility to stop all irregularities and can recommend corrective action to the government against the staff who are encouraging such illegal activities, they said.
A retired officer, who did not wish to be named, said, “It is Roopa’s job to seize whatever she found in Sasikala’s kitchen and in the cells of other inmates. She is equally responsible for the wrongs happening in the department. Also, making allegations that Rs 2 crore was paid as bribe to a senior officer, without any proof, could backfire.”
“When I was heading the prisons department I did make surprise visits. I submitted a report to the government to take action against the jail superintendent twice when I found irregularities. I had seized vegetables which were being sold to inmates by one of the inmates, Tarakari Khaleel, and also detected substances abuse. I recorded it and gave a detailed report. But the jail officer who had failed to stop these irregularities was neither suspended or dismissed for dereliction of duty. Later, he committed suicide over personal reasons,” the retired officer recalled.
“I think there are lot of things that need to be done in the prisons department, especially strengthening staff and enhancing their professional skills. Since many years, nothing has been improved as regards computerisation and modernisation to control irregularities. The living condition of inmates also has to be improved,” he added.
Speaking to Express, retired DG(Prisons) L Revanasiddaiah said the attempt to highlight serious lapses in the jail administration is appreciable. “But Roopa could have done it through proper channels. The department is known for discipline. Such serious allegations create a bad impression among the people who may think that they can enjoy normal life in prison also,” he said.
“I think the top officials should ensure a healthy work culture instead of blaming their colleagues and dragging them into public spats,” he added.
Protest in jails
On Thursday, some inmates in the central jails in Bengaluru and Belagavi staged a protest inside their barracks and shouted slogans against D Roopa “for damaging the image of the inmates.” Even jail officials tried to find fault with her, stating that she is not aware of rules and regulations of the prison. They took exception to her inspection of the jail premises. “If she had to pay a surprise visit or conduct an inquiry in the jail premises,she has to mention it in the jail register. But she did not follow procedure when she visited the Central Prison,” officials claimed.