Former DMK School Education Minister and DMK leader Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, who is currently lodged in Puzhal Central Prison in connection with an alleged corruption case involving private school approvals, has reportedly complained of difficulties sleeping and eating inside the prison, as reported in Dinamalar.
According to prison officials, Mahesh has been lodged in a separate room in the first-class prisoner section of the prison. He has been provided with a cot, mattress, chair, table, electric fan and an attached toilet facility. As an undertrial prisoner, he is also permitted to wear his own clothes.
However, officials said Mahesh has been struggling to sleep at night because his room does not have air-conditioning. Despite being provided with mosquito repellent, the mosquito menace in the Puzhal area has reportedly made it difficult for him to sleep.
Officials also stated that, following a request by his lawyer citing his health condition, the court permitted special dietary arrangements. In accordance with the court’s directions and medical advice, he is being served oil-free food, rice, rasam and boiled vegetables. As a first-class prisoner, he is also provided chicken curry with meals three days a week, while dinner consists of chapatis and porridge.
Mahesh has reportedly complained about the food served in prison during his appearance before the special court on Thursday. His legal team argued that he was unable to eat the chapatis provided and that his weight had reduced over the past few days because he was not getting proper food, as reported in Webdunia Tamil. He also indicated that he intended to file a petition seeking permission to receive food prepared at his residence.
Prison officials said Mahesh is allowed to read newspapers and books and use the prison library. He was also taken for a walk on Wednesday. Given his former ministerial position, other prisoners are not permitted to meet him for security reasons. He is allowed to meet family members, lawyers and friends twice a week, in accordance with prison rules. Food brought from outside is not permitted.
Meanwhile, the Chennai Central Crime Branch police have filed a petition before the Special Court seeking permission to take Mahesh into five days of police custody for interrogation in the alleged corruption case.
Mahesh was arrested in connection with allegations that hundreds of crores of rupees were collected from private schools in the name of party funds in exchange for granting and renewing permanent recognition. The allegations reportedly concern an amount of around ₹400 crore.
His bail petition and a separate plea seeking the return of electronic devices seized during searches at his residence were also taken up by the Special Court.
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