Sivakumar, a 30-year-old from Pochampalli in Krishnagiri district, was serving a life sentence at the Vellore Central Prison. The prison guards reportedly took Sivakumar to the residence of Vellore Prison DIG, Rajalakshmi, to perform domestic chores. While there, Sivakumar allegedly stole Rs. 4.5 lakhs in cash and silver items. It is said that the prison wardens severely assaulted Sivakumar, leading to a deterioration in his health.Following this incident, Sivakumar’s mother filed a case in the Chennai High Court. The court ordered an investigation by the Vellore judge and directed the CBCID police to conduct a probe. Consequently, Sivakumar was questioned and later transferred to the Salem Central Prison.
Simultaneously, on September 7th, the CBCID police registered a case against 14 individuals, including DIG Rajalakshmi, and commenced an investigation.
In response to these developments, senior officials have reportedly issued an oral directive banning the use of prison inmates for domestic work in the residences of prison officials.
