AIADMK's party organ Dr Namadhu MGR carried an emphatic article on Thursday, which said that the party's General Secretary VK Sasikala had responded to charges of VIP treatment in Bengaluru central jail and had denied all allegations.
The rebuttal reportedly came while she was being questioned by a team led by former IAS officer Vinay Kumar.
This comes after former DIG prisons D Roopa 's letter to a higher officer was leaked to the media. It said that Sasikala was given perks that were not officially discussed, including larger living quarters, special food and everyday equipment.
According to reports, the party organ claimed that, "Sasikala clarified that she had not been given any special treatment. Two women from the prison sometimes would come and converse with her and extend some help due to affection they have for her."
Sources in the Parappana Agrahara jail had told TNM that a 150 feet corridor with five prison cells is exclusively allocated for Sasikala's use. "She has kept her personal belongings in all the cells. She uses one to eat, one to do yoga and one more has a cot and private bedding, none of which is allowed," said a senior prison official. "She goes walking on the corridor and there are barricades that limit access to her quarters," she added.
The party organ however denied that five rooms were allotted to Sasikala and claimed that she was not required to wear prison uniform as per rules.
Videos which were allegedly from her stay in prison, showed Sasikala not wearing the jail uniform. It had evoked criticism and questions regarding the privileges being given to her.