Mumbai: Social activist Anjali Damania has alleged “preferential treatment” to former deputy chief minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal and his nephew Sameer Bhujbal in the Arthur Road jail. She said Bhujbal and Sameer have been provided a five-feet TV, fruits every two hours, and their favourite foods such as chicken masala. Ms Damania has alleged that the jail officers have allowed vodka to be supplied to Sameer, which she said had been sneaked into jail through coconut water.
While additional director general for prisons, B.K. Upadhyay, has said he would look into the matter, Bhujbal’s lawyer has called it an attempt to malign his client’s image.
Ms Damania made the allegation in an email to Mr Upadhyay. She wrote that she had lodged many complaints against undue favour being given to Bhujbal and his nephew at Arthur Road jail.
She wrote, “Mr Chhagan and Mr Sameer Bhujbal have been provided a five-feet television set which was used for watching their favourite Hindi movies. Also, they are being provided their favourite food such as chicken masala, and fruits every two hours.” Ms Damania also said, “Mr Sameer was provided vodka, which was sneaked into Arthur Road jail through coconut water.”
The former Aam Aadmi Party leader has also written that some people inside the jail had provided her this information. “I was also told that Mr Sameer was allowed to speak on phone for three hours,” wrote Ms Damania.
The state’s prison authority has taken cognisance of Ms Damania’s letter and deputy inspector general Swati Sathe will investigate the matter.
Responding to Ms Damania’s allegations, Bhujbal’s lawyer Sajal Yadav said, “No electronics are allowed inside jail. So Ms Damania’s allegations are not true. Any kind of liquid is also not allowed inside. So allegations of vodka (being supplied) is a pure attempt to tarnish the image of my client. And both Bhujbals are allowed to have home prepared food with court order. So they can have food that is prepared at home. There is also a limit of 900 gm food per person and that has never been crossed.”
