New Delhi:
Sipping tea with the jail superintendent, free access to roam inside the prison, and enough time to chat with other prisoners - this is life at Delhi's Tihar jail for the high-profile accused in the 2G swindle and Commonwealth Games scam.
Embarrassed, jail authorities have now promised to crack the whip.
"We will have an internal inquiry within 48 hours and will take action against those guilty," said R N Sharma, DIG, Prisons.
The shakeup comes after a surprise visit by a trial court judge who inspected the jail.
In his report he said, "Suresh Kalmadi was sitting with jail superintendent Shri Bhardwaj and was enjoying tea/coffee and biscuit/namkeens. Accused were given undue liberty by jail authorities for reasons best known to them. It appears they are thoroughly enjoying their stints at the Central jail courtesy the jail officials."
The judge was also surprised to see Vishal and Vikas Yadav, the murderers of Nitish Katara, enjoying a stroll in the prison gardens, way beyond permitted time.
In their defence, jail officials say ministers and MPs lodged inside the jail do put a lot of pressure on them by using their power and influence. But if in India's most high profile jail these VIP prisoners are not told to mend their ways, then where else will it be possible.