We have taken serious cognizance of the allegation of irregularities in Bengaluru Central Prison & ordered a high level inquiry. 1/2 — CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) 1499929682000

Request all to await the outcome of this inquiry. Strict action will be taken against any person found guilty of wrongdoing. 2/2 — CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) 1499929697000

Sasikala paid Rs 2 crore bribe to jail officials for 'undue' favours: Report

NEW DELHI: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday ordered a high-level probe into allegations that the prisons' department officials have received Rs 2 crore bribe to provide special facilities for AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala , who is currently serving a sentence at the Parappana Agrahara central jail in Bengaluru.The CM, however, has not specified as to who will head the probe and the deadline for the completion of the probe. The high-level probe will be based on the report submitted by Deputy Inspector General of Police (Prisons) D Roopa, who stated that there are speculations of Rs 2 crore bribe having paid to Karnataka's jail authorities including Director General of Police (Prisons) HNS Rao, her senior officer. She had stated that a special kitchen has been given to Sasikala , a high-profile convict from neighbouring Tamil Nadu."We have taken serious cognizance of the allegation of irregularities in Bengaluru Central Prison & ordered a high level inquiry (sic)," chief minister Siddaramaiah tweeted out on Thursday."Request all to await the outcome of this inquiry. Strict action will be taken against any person found guilty of wrongdoing," he further tweeted.DIG (Prisons) D Roopa on Wednesday alleged that senior jail staffers are allowing a host of illegal activities at Central Prison, Parappana Agrahara, including provision of special treatment to former AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala.In a letter to director general and inspector general (DG&IG) of police RK Dutta and DG (prisons) Sathyanarayana Rao, Roopa has said Sasikala is being allowed to use a separate cooking room, while Abdul Karim Telgi, convicted in the stamp paper scam, is provided undertrials as aides."These violations of prison rules have come to your notice, and there are talks of Rs 2 crore having been given as bribe for the same. I request you to act immediately and punish people breaking the rules," Roopa's letter read.The prison has been in the eye of a controversy involving Sasikala, who is serving term after being convicted in a disproportionate assets case, and is being allowed to meet several visitors in violation of norms.DG (Prisons) Sathyanarayana Rao, however, denied these claims and said, "There is no VIP treatment being given to any prisoner. If the DIG finds anything, she must first bring it to my notice and not go to media. I am yet to receive any such letter."