Nithyananda ‘blesses’ CID’s new air-conditioned lock-up
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Sleuths usually do pujas at lock-ups to ward off evil and prevent custodial deaths, but this guest came even before a formal opening
DEBI PRASAD SARANGI
S wamy Nithyananda has poured water on the CID sleuths' plans to perform a puja at their newly constructed lock-up to ward off tragic incidents like custodial deaths. After a magistrate in Ramanagaram on Thursday gave the investigating agency custody of the swamiji for four days for interrogation, the sleuths had no choice but to put him in one of the newly-constructed lock-up cells at their Palace Road office.
The agency had no lock-up in its premises and used to keep the arrested persons in nearby police stations for safe custody. It was only recently that they got two air-conditioned lock-ups ready at their Carlton House headquarters on Palace Road.
Nithyananda, of course, is not getting any special treatment here, for the air-conditioner in his cell is no luxury, but a necessity; it is located in a dingy cellar portion of the CID Annexe building. The level of suffocation here is so high that there is a risk of detainees choking to death.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) as well as the Cyber Crime Police which operates from the former’s headquarters, had always felt the lack of lock-ups as a handicap. To overcome this, the CID top-brass had recently prepared a proposal and sent it to the government, which, in turn, approved setting up of two cells - one for men and one for women - and sanctioned Rs 20 lakh for the purpose.
Cops across the country conduct puja at newly constructed lock-ups, as they believe this would ward off evil forces and prevent custody deaths and related consequences.
The new cells, located below the Cyber Crime Police Station, have attached toilets and provision for a guard to sit near its entrance. There is no cot or other luxuries in the cell. Beds will be provided only during the night.
IN CUSTODY: Swami Nithyananda (R) being taken to Ramanagaram Government Hospital for a medical check-up on Thursday night