Jayalalithaa’s first day in jail sans visitors

BANGALORE: AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa, the first serving chief minister to be convicted in a corruption case, spent her first day in the Central Prison at Parappana Agrahara in Bangalore without meeting any visitors. She has been allotted a normal cell in the women’s barracks that she shares with close aide N Sasikala and J Elavarasi.

Although the AIADMK chief apparently said she was not keen to meet anyone, the prison rules prohibit visitors on Sundays. Tamil Nadu CM - designate O Panneerselvam and Jayalalithaa’s advisor Sheela Balakrishnan were seen at the prison premises, but they could not meet her. Sources in her legal team said she preferred to stay inside the jail despite health issues and was not willing to ask for hospitalisation. The prison authorities said Jaya is hale and hearty and doctors are monitoring her health.

The prison officials have awarded convict numbers 7,402 for Jayalalithaa, 7,403 for Sasikala, 7,404 for VN Sudhakaran and 7,405 for Elavarasi. The officials told ET that all prison cells are similar in terms of facilities, but they vary in size.

Jayalalithaa has been given a smaller cell, which can accommodate five inmates, in view of security issues. The women’s barracks, however, is not crowded and there are about 130 inmates. As in all other cells, Jaya’s cell has a fan, TV and bathroom.

She went for a brief walk and was provided with newspapers in the morning. Although the jail authorities provide chapattis and ragi balls for food, Jaya has been eating fruit, bread and milk.