Sasikala special treatment row: Prison chief recommends whistleblower DIG's transfer

The Lt Governor said in such a situation, good leadership welcomes reporting or feedback and makes a joint field visit.

Rupa who created a nationwide sensation by revealing the special treatment being meted out to Sasikala who has been lodged in prison for disproportionate assets case has been served a notice by the state government asking her to explain why she reported the issue to the media. The senior police officer said she had no axe to grind and if she had anything to hide, "I wouldn't have taken the step of exposing (irregularities in jail)".

"It is absolutely against the rule book", Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said who also noted "It is inappropriate on her part to share details with media". When the report was carried I did not talk to the media, instead I came straight to my chamber. Roopa, who was recently appointed DIG (prisons) has submitted a report to DGP (prisons) H N Sathyanarayana Rao, alleging that she had heard rumors that the DGP was paid Rs 2 crore to ensure that Sasikala receives VIP treatment.

As news of the explosive findings of the report appeared in the media, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered a probe into allegations made by Ms Roopa.

"The committee will be headed by retired IAS officer Vinay Kumar and file an interim report on the charges of bribery and other irregularities in the central jail in a week and the final report in a month", added the official. "That is why we have issued a notice to Roopa (Moudgil) for violating the rules", Siddaramaiah told reporters at Mysuru. Rao has said the allegations are baseless.