Row erupts as Jain seen getting massage in Tihar
NEW DELHI: A video of Delhi minister Satyendar Jain was circulated on social media in which he is seen getting a massage from an inmate in his cell inside Tihar jail, sparking a sharp offensive from the Bharatiya Janata Party amid allegations that he was being given special treatment in prison.
HT could not independently verify the authenticity of the video, ostensibly recorded by a CCTV camera in the prison on September 13, 14 and 21.
Meanwhile, at least three prison officials posted at the Tihar jail cell where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) minister is lodged, have been suspended, officials said. The footage was
handed to the Enforcement Directorate on the agency’s request as part of its probe into money laundering allegations against the Aam Aadmi Party leader, officials familiar with the matter said.
BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said the video shows that Jain was being treated as a VIP in prison.
“Why is this massage being provided to the prisoner? Why is Jain not in the jail uniform meant for prisoners? The video shows four people in Jain’s cell. Why are so many people being allowed in the cell? The chief minister should answer this,” he said.
At least 28 prison officials posted in Tihar jail number 7, where Jain is lodged, were transferred on Wednesday. Two days earlier, jail superintendent Ajit Kumar was suspended for his alleged role in circumventing rules to give special facilities to Jain. Until his arrest earlier this year, former health and home minister Jain, was also in charge of prisons. While BJP leaders filed a police complaint against Jain, the AAP’S senior leader and deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia accused the party of leaking the video and weaving a false narrative.
Sisodia said Jain was unwell, and was being treated in prison for his illness.
“The BJP, as part of a conspiracy, got our colleague arrested. A person is unwell and being treated. The BJP leaked the tape, is weaving a false narrative and is making fun of the man,” he said.
The Delhi deputy CM said that Jain suffered a spinal injury after a fall inside the prison, and was recommended physiotherapy by his doctors. “Jain is in jail for 6 months. While in jail, he slipped and was injured in the spine. Due to this spine injury, he has undergone two surgeries and while discharging him, the doctors had recommended that physiotherapy should be provided. This is not a luxury body massage but pressure therapy being provided to an injured person,” Sisodia said. He contended that such treatment is provided in every jail in the country, and that no rules were violated. Delhi BJP leaders Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Tajender Pal Singh Bagga filed a complaint at the Hari Nagar police station over the matter.