The larger picture of Indian prisons is the one in which behind the bars, traumatized convicts live. But when it comes to the Indian VIPs, the story is vastly different.
The infection of discrimination has not left Indian prisons untouched either. The ‘regular’ convicts have to abide by the strict environment of the prisons, the ‘VIP’ convicts, on the other hand, live like free moody birds who do not mind chilling and enjoying their freedom within confinements every once in a while.
And how do the special cells like VIP and VVIP cells even make sense? I always thought that prison life is to punish and change some screwed personalities for good! However, the kind of luxuries some famous law-breakers have enjoyed in prison will shake your belief in this whole system.
1. Lalu Prasad Yadav: Prison life for this kaidi (prisoner) number 3312 was like a home away from home
President of the Rashtriya Janata Dal political party
Convicted of- Multi-crore fodder scam
Prison- Birsa Munda Central Jail
Luxuries enjoyed :-
- Had a TV set in his prison cell.
- Had 2 personal cooks who cooked dishes of his choice, and his menu included mutton, chicken, and fish besides seasonal fruits.
- Thoroughly enjoyed the privilege of meeting with visitors for longer hours than the set time limit.
- He was allowed to stroll around for an extra hour in the premises after all other prisoners returned to their barracks.
2. Amar Singh – A senior jail officer tagged him as “hard to deal with!”
The man who likes to roll from one celeb to another politician, and a politician himself.
Convicted of- Cash-for-votes scam
Prison- Tihar Jail
Luxuries enjoyed :-
- Defying the court orders that stated Singh to be put in one of the barracks, he lived in a ward with an attached bathroom.
- Had two cell mates with him, who scrubbed the floor of the cell 4-5 times every day. And frequently, they sprayed insecticides to keep the ward mosquito-free. The cell mates were not allowed to use Singh’s bathroom.
- He was allowed home-cooked meals.
- Strolled around his ward, and chit-chatted with the fellow inmates, who also included former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda.
- Kept threatening jail officials every once in a while by announcing out loud, ‘I will be out in 24 hours.’
- He complained about his health issues, but jail doctors found his reports to be normal. Still, the authorities offered him 24-hour medical support, and there always used to be an ambulance on standby for him.
3. Bibi Jagir Kaur- The authorities almost worshipped her when she reached the prison after being declared a convict
Criminal mother and a former minister in Shiromani Akali Dal
Convicted of- Involved in kidnapping & killing of her own daughter. The charges of murder were however dropped by the court.
Prison- Kapurthala Central Jail
Luxuries enjoyed :-
- Officials ran to touch her feet just as she reached the prison to start serving her term.
- Had a 32-inch television with cable-network in her cell.
- Free access to her mobile phone.
4. Manu Sharma- “Jaanta hai mera baap kaun hai?”
Big headed criminal son of politician Vinod Sharma
Convicted of- Jessica Lal’s murder
Prison- Tihar jail
Luxuries enjoyed :-
- In 2009, he made the excuse of attending grandmother’s funeral to get parole. Don’t know about the funeral, but he was definitely spotted partying.
- Enjoys special favours and spends most of his time in Piccadily Hotel, owned by his father.
- A warden in Tihar Jail is employed in Piccadily Hotel to ensure complete secrecy of Manu Sharma’s stay at the hotel.
5. Vikas Yadav- “Jaanta hai mera baap kaun hai? -Part II”
Another big headed criminal son of politician DP Yadav
Convicted of- Nitish Katara murder
Prison- Tihar Jail
Luxuries enjoyed :-
- Managed to make as many as 66 visits outside of jail between May 30, 2008 and February 8, 2010.
- Spent most of his prison time in hospitals despite an examination revealing that he had no health problems worthy of hospitalization.
- Managed to step out on one Diwali night. The two policemen, who helped him, however, were suspended later on.
6. Asaram- Wants to bathe only in Holy Ganges water
Accused of- Sexual assault
Prison- Jodhpur Central Jail
Luxuries enjoyed :-
- Eats food cooked at homes of jail officials.
- Demanded Ganges water for bathing purposes, and the demand was reportedly met also.
- Two of his followers are his personal attendants in jail.
And we can just wonder, stay aghast, and yeah, wonder some more.