The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday expressed concerns over former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia's "safety" inside the jail and alleged that he was being kept with "dangerous" criminals, a charge denied by the prison authorities.
Rejecting the Aam Aadmi Party's allegations as 'unfounded', the Delhi Prison authorities on Wednesday said Sisodia has been lodged in a ward of Central Jail No. 1 of Tihar where there are a minimum number of inmates and no gangsters.
The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday expressed concerns over former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia's "safety" inside the jail and alleged that he was being kept with "dangerous" criminals, a charge denied by the prison authorities.
AAP national spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that Sisodia is being kept with other criminals in the Tihar Jail and has been refused "vipassana" cell.
He claimed that despite approval from the court, Sisodia has not been provided the "vipassana" cell.
"There was a request for Manish Sisodia to be kept in the vipassana cell of the jail and it was approved by the court. Despite the court's approval, Sisodia has been kept with other criminals in jail number 1. The Centre must answer why are they doing this," Bharadwaj said.
Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh lashed out at the BJP and the Centre and alleged that they have been “misusing” central agencies such as the CBI and the ED.
"BJP and the Centre are full of hatred and they have been misusing the central agencies. Every other day there is news of CBI and ED raids on the opposition leaders. They (BJP) are least bothered about education, health, electricity, water and overall progress of the country,” Singh alleged.
He further alleged that Sisodia has been kept with “dangerous” criminals in the jail and that the party leaders have been “worried about his safety”.
Senior AAP leader Dilip Pandey claimed that court orders have been “defied” and Sisodia has been kept with criminals with “dangerous records” inside the Tihar Jail.
"First, Manish Sisodia was mentally tortured by the central agencies and then he has been kept in Tihar's jail number 1 with criminals with dangerous records. He is also being pressured to sign the papers where false charges have been framed against him,” he alleged.
Rejecting the Aam Aadmi Party's allegations as "unfounded", the Delhi Prison authorities on Wednesday said Sisodia has been lodged in a ward of Central Jail No. 1 of Tihar where there are a minimum number of inmates and no gangsters.
In a statement, the prison authorities said, "Manish Sisodia has been assigned to a segregated ward keeping his security in mind. The ward...has minimum number of inmates who are not gangsters and are maintaining good conduct inside the jail."
According to jail officials, a separate cell makes it possible for him to meditate or do such other activities without any disturbance.
"All the arrangements, as per jail rules, are in place to ensure his safety and security. Any aspersions cast about his lodgings is unfounded," an official added.
Sisodia was arrested by the CBI in the excise policy scam case. He is currently in judicial custody.
Reacting to the allegations levelled by the AAP, BJP leader Manoj Tiwari charged that the AAP is “trying to mislead” the public as Tihar Jail comes under the Delhi government's Department of Prisons.
The response was issued by the jail administration after statements were made by Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh and MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj.
Bharadwaj alleged on Wednesday that Sisodia was being kept with other inmates in jail and was refused a "vipassana" cell.
"There was a request for Manish Sisodia to be kept in the vipassana cell of the jail and the same was approved by the court. Despite the court's approval, Sisodia has been kept with criminals in jail number 1. The Centre must give an answer," Bharadwaj alleged.
Later, the AAP blamed the Central government and questioned why Sisodia has not been kept in Vipasana Cell despite court orders.
"It is unfortunate that Modi Govt is forcing the Jail Administration to defy various orders and standard operating procedures of jail. It is well known fact that hardened criminals , well known gangsters, repeat offenders are lodged in Jail no 1.
"Why is Central Govt hellbent that these hardened criminals have have easy access to Manish Ji ? Why is Central Govt risking the life of Dy CM of Delhi ?," the statement said.
"This is also a fact that inspite of Court Orders, Manish Ji has not been kept in Vipasana Cell. This is also a fact that Jail no 1 does not have Vipasana Cell. Can Jail administration deny this fact ?," the Aam Aadmi Party questioned.
Sisodia was arrested by the CBI in the excise policy scam case. He is currently in judicial custody.
The court had allowed the senior AAP leader to carry the Bhagavad Gita, spectacles and medicines to jail, and directed the Tihar authorities to consider his request to be allowed to do vipassana meditation.
(With PTI Inputs)