VIP treatment at jail: Sasikala approaches Karnataka HC to quash case

The latest move from Sasikala comes in the wake of the acquittal of three officials (police inspector Gajaraja; then Assistant Superintendent of Prisons Dr Anitha R; and then chief superintendent of Prisons Krishna Kumar) who were accused of providing her VIP treatment at the Central Prison of Parappana Agrahara.

Sasikala underwent imprisonment from 2017 to 2021 after being convicted by the Supreme Court in a multi-crore disproportionate assets case.

Sasikala’s counsel had challenged the proceedings against her on grounds of the three prior acquittals, arguing that there was no argument in favour of corruption as no element of gratification or bribe in order to obtain preferential treatment had been obtained. The counsel also argued that the court’s decision should be in her favour on grounds of her age and societal standing.

Previously, while quashing the proceedings against the three officials, the bench noted that there were no specific allegations or even disciplinary proceedings against Gajaraja, nor any specific allegations of bribery against Krishna Kumar. The court also said that on the day the Anti-Corruption Bureau was given the permission to go ahead with the charges against Dr Anitha, she had been let off by the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal.

It was argued that there were no specific allegations which had been made at the time against these officials.