‘Whiskey, air hostesses in jail for Subrata Roy’: Ex-Tihar official alleges, claims Kejriwal took no action
New Delhi: Former Tihar Jail Public Relations Officer (PRO) Sunil Kumar Gupta has alleged that late Sahara Group chief Subrata Roy Sahara received special privileges during his imprisonment, facilitated by the jail administration, media reports said.
Gupta further claimed that despite raising concerns over these irregularities, then-Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal failed to take action.
Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Gupta recounted that Roy was jailed following a Supreme Court directive over unpaid dues worth thousands of crores.
Initially placed in a regular cell, Roy later sought permission to use video conferencing to negotiate the sale of his international assets, arguing that the proceeds would help repay lenders.
According to Gupta, the Supreme Court had asked the jail administration to suggest a viable arrangement.
Since video conferencing was not feasible inside the prison, Roy was shifted to a court complex with the necessary facilities, where he allegedly set up his own equipment and even stayed overnight.
"The Supreme Court had set legal procedures, but several irregularities took place. There were continuous complaints of bribery and extortion in Tihar Jail, but when I raised these concerns in meetings chaired by the Director General (DG) of Prisons, they were dismissed as personal grievances," Gupta stated.
Gupta claimed that after his warnings were ignored by the prison authorities, he took the matter to Kejriwal.
In a meeting attended by the Jail Minister, he detailed how Roy was receiving preferential treatment in collusion with jail officials.
"Kejriwal asked if I could record a video as proof. I told him it wouldn’t be appropriate and suggested he inspect the premises himself. He replied that the DG Prisons, being an IPS officer, fell under the central government’s jurisdiction, and he wasn’t sure if he could intervene," Gupta alleged.
Despite Kejriwal initially assuring an inspection and action, Gupta claimed no steps were taken. Instead, the DG later warned him that approaching the CM had been a mistake.
Further, Gupta alleged that after he raised concerns, he faced harassment from the jail administration.
"Following my complaints, I was slapped with a 15-page chargesheet over alleged irregularities in a decade-old course—an attempt to harass me before retirement. It took four to five years for the government to withdraw the charges and clear my name, but the ordeal was mentally distressing," he said.
Adding to his claims, Gupta alleged that Roy was not only provided video conferencing facilities but also visited by air hostesses from Sahara Airlines, who spent hours with him.
He further claimed to have witnessed whiskey bottles near Roy’s area.
"I personally witnessed these incidents and reported them to Kejriwal. But I believe he either felt powerless against an IPS officer or chose to ignore the issue," Gupta remarked.
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