Bengaluru: Away from the cozy confines of Veda Nilayam, the harsh reality of a life as an ordinary prisoner is sinking in for AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala.
As prisoner no 9234, Sasikala shares 10 feet by 8 feet cell, with a bathroom separated by a wall, with her sister-in-law Illavarasi. Both of them have been issued a plate, tumbler, and blanket each for personal use.
The difficult conditions are a far cry from the relative comforts Sasikala enjoyed when she was the cell mate of then J Jayalalithaa in 2014. As CM, Jayalalithaa was entitled to privileges.
Sasikala did demand a VIP cell and home-cooked food but the plea was rejected by jail authorities.
As per a report in the Huffington Post, Sasikala refused dinner — comprising 2 rotis one ragi ball, 200 gm rice and 150 gm sambar – on the first night and kept awake through the night. The next morning Illavarasi coaxed her to eat a portion of the tamarind rice served as breakfast.
That evening, Sasikala, who was all set to become the chief minister of Tamil Nadu before the Supreme Court convicted her in the disproportionate assets case, saw on TV her nominee E Palanaswami take over the Chief Minister.
She is reportedly not talking to anyone and has even refused requests by party leaders for an audience.
However, her next door neighbour was more than curious and seemed desperate to begin a conversation with Chinnamma.
Bangalore Mirror reports that the cell next to that of Sasikala belongs to Cyanide Mallika, the infamous woman who is serving a life term for having killed six women, who she met at temples, for gold.
Mallika is said to be a huge fan of J Jayalalithaa and was desperate to meet her during her 2014 prison term.
Huffpost adds that Cyanide Mallika tried to say hello to Sasikala on the first evening but Sasikala ignored her overtures. However, she did smile back the next morning.
Earlier, on arrival at the special court, Sasikala had reportedly refused to ride on an open police jeeps
She said that she was "no petty thief", and chose to walk the distance instead, Huffpost adds.
