'Sheesh Mahal' row: CM house visit drama by AAP to divert attention from corruption, says BJP
New Delhi (PTI): The BJP on Wednesday accused the AAP leaders of diverting attention from the "corruption and irregularities" surrounding the "Sheesh Mahal", and enacting drama of a visit to the bungalow while the model code of conduct was implemented for the upcoming Assembly polls.
"Why did AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Saurabh Bharadwaj not visit the Sheesh Mahal earlier?", questioned Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva after they were stopped by the police from visiting the bungalow in Civil Lines, earlier in the day.
Singh on Sunday challenged the BJP for a visit to "Sheesh Mahal" and the Prime Minister's residence dubbing it "Raj Mahal" along with media persons.
Sachdeva charged, "The AAP leaders are doing drama and trying to divert attention from the Sheesh corruption and irregularities committed in the construction of Sheesh Mahal (6, Flagstaff Road, occupied by Arvind Kejriwal as chief minister). Why did they not think of showing the Sheesh Mahal earlier and now insist on a visit when the administration is bound by a model code of conduct?"
The Delhi BJP president visited AB 17 Mathura Road bungalow allotted to Delhi Chief Minister Atishi. He asked, "Why is Atishi demanding another bungalow when she was allotted this bungalow?"
Atishi on Tuesday alleged that the BJP-led Centre evicted her from the chief minister's bungalow by cancelling allotment.
According to the department, Atishi failed to take possession of the property within the mandated time frame.
"The allottee had failed to take physical possession/occupation of the bungalow at 6, Flag Staff Road, despite multiple requests/correspondences and even after issuance of 'Habitability Certificate' for the bungalow, certifying that the bungalow was fit for immediate occupation and fully habitable. However, in this case, possession was not taken even after three months," the PWD letter stated.
The PWD has, meanwhile, offered two other bungalows to the chief minister.
Sachdeva said, "Atishi should tell the people why did not she take possession of the Flagstaff Road bungalow within three months, and now claiming that her allotment was cancelled".
He also alleged that Atishi herself did not live at AB 17 Mathura Road bungalow and asked her to clarify who lived there.
"It is the same bungalow where Sheila Dikshit lived as Delhi's chief minister from 1998 to 2004. Why can Atishi not live in it?" he questioned.
Sachdeva alleged that the AAP leaders were indulging in "petty politics" by raising questions over the PM's residence, to divert attention from the notoriety gained by the "Sheesh Mahal".
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Bengaluru jail introduces biometric tracking system for prisoners
Bengaluru: In a bid to curb misconduct and illegal activities inside Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, prison authorities have introduced a new ‘Prisoners Tracking Movement System’ under which inmates will have to undergo biometric verification while entering every barrack.
According to jail officials, biometric systems have been installed across all major sections of the prison, including barracks, visitor rooms, hospital, canteen, kitchen, library, playground, handicraft units and bakery sections. Staff members have also been deployed at these locations.
Officials said inmates visiting the visitors’ room must now obtain a digital token after biometric verification. Details such as the prisoner’s name, identification number and entry time will be updated in the prison software system. This will help authorities maintain a complete digital record of inmates visiting and returning from meeting rooms.
Similar systems have also been introduced at entry points of the hospital, library and other barracks accessed for work-related purposes. Officials said the system will help identify prisoners involved in suspicious or illegal activities with other inmates and enable authorities to track how much time a prisoner spends at different locations inside the prison.
Authorities stated that AI-powered cameras were already being used inside the prison to monitor inmates as well as prison staff. Along with this, digital tracking of prisoner phone calls and a digital token system for visitor meetings have now been added to strengthen surveillance over inmate movement. Officials said the project has been implemented at a cost of around Rs 2.25 crore.
The prison department has also introduced a canteen usage tracking system to monitor prisoners’ spending patterns. Instead of direct cash payments, inmates can purchase bakery items and snacks using wallets or coupons issued within the prison system.
Officials said the digital system will record details including the buyer’s name, items purchased, quantity, date, time and remaining wallet balance. This will allow prison authorities to maintain complete expenditure records of inmates.
