Was the chief superintendent of the Central Prison at Parappana Agrahara, T.H. Lakshmi Narayana transferred at the behest of the central jail’s most prominent inmate — former CM B.S. Yeddyurappa?
Sources close to Narayana told Deccan Chronicle that he was shunted out in favour of an officer of the former chief minister’s ‘choice’ as he had “asked too many questions over the constant stream of visitors to Mr Yeddyurappa’s cell.”
The government on October 29 transferred Lakshmi Narayana to Bellary central prison and posted Superintendent M. Lingaraju in his place.
The transfer order, which has been stayed by the Karnataka Public Administration for the next four months, after Mr. Narayana approached the Tribunal, took the senior prison officers by surprise, as they had no prior information about the overnight change of guard. Mr Narayana was posted just four months ago to the Central Prison.
Prison officials have told Deccan Chronicle that the former CM reportedly meets visitors - high ranking politicians including some cabinet ministers and family members - in his cell in the special security building in complete violation of the prison rules.
A prisoner - under trial or convict can meet visitors, with prior permission from the jail authorities in the common facility provided at the entrance of the prison in the presence of prison officials.
In another break with prison rules, Yeddyurappa also reportedly has his personal attendant Shivalingaswamy in attendance. He comes in the morning with his breakfast from home and spends a couple of hours with him. This is repeated when he brings his dinner.
PIL against BSY for violating rules
A city-based advocate K.N.A. Reddy has approached the HC seeking directions against BSY and others for violating prison manual rules, while he was being treated at Jayadeva Hospital.
The petitioner alleges that while in Jayadeva Hospital, more than 500 VIP, VVIPS including the CM and cabinet ministers visited BSY which is against the prison rules which allows limited number of visitors per day.
Though a gross violation of law and breach of prison security, prison officials are finding it difficult to check the movements of "certain people," admitted an officer.
"Though mobile phones are not allowed inside the prison, who has the courage to check the VIP visitors to the VVIP prisoner unless they volunteer to surrender them at the entrance? He (Mr Yeddyurappa) could also be sending letters through the attendant," said the officer on condition of anonymity.
A senior prison officer insisted to this newspaper that Mr. Narayana's transfer was due to 'administrative' reasons.