Prison row hots up, DGP joins issue

The row over the alleged breach of prison rules in a Kozhikode Jail hotted up today with the DGP (Prisons) saying that it was difficult to rush to conclusions on the alleged mobile phone use and Facebook postings by undertrials without any scientific examination.
As the Home Department continued to be under attack over the alleged breach of prison rules by some accused in the TP Chandrasekharan murder case, DGP (Prisons) Alexander Jacob said here that the timing of the reports was also "suspect" as the trial court was expected to pronounce its verdict.
"We cannot say anything on this without scientific examination of the allegations... The police have to examine all aspects of the issue.. The court is to pronounce judgment in the case on December 30," Jacob said.

The comments drew flak from BJP while a top CPI(M) leader termed them as logical and sensible and a chargesheet against the UDF Government.
Reacting to the development, Home Minister Thiruvanchur Radhakrishnan said he did not want to join the controversy over the DGP's remarks but would talk to him directly.
"Whatever things have been exposed by the media require scientific examination... You have been attacking (us) for the last three days... Media should avoid creating controversies over the issue," Jacob told reporters.
Refuting the allegation that the Prison Department had failed to take action on the directive issued by the Home Department, some six months back, based on the intelligence reports of the accused in the case getting undue facilities, he said four raids had been conducted in the jail following that warning.

Chandrasekharan, who floated his own outfit RMP after quitting CPI(M), was hacked to death in May 2012 near his native village Onchiyam. Many accused are local CPI(M) workers, apart from goons allegedly hired to execute the murder.