Karnataka deploys massive police forces ahead of Jaya case

She has been charged with accumulating Rs 66-cr wealth disproportionate to known sources of her income from 1991-96 in her first term as CM

Karnataka police have made unprecedented security arrangements in and around Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Bangalore South East, where a special court on Saturday will pronounce the order in the disproportionate assets case against Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa and three others. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code have been issued in and around Parappana Agrahara.

Though the judgment was scheduled on September 20 in a city civil court, it was postponed by a week to September 27 after Jayalalithaa filed a petition seeking to shift the court to a suitable location citing security reasons. The verdict will be pronounced at a makeshift court at Gandhi Bhavan near the Central Jail in Bangalore.

"We are fully geared up to prevent any untoward incident in view of the crucial judgement in the case in and around the Central Jail premises. We have made proper security arrangements all across the city," Alok Kumar, Additional Commissioner of Police, Law and Order told Business Standard.

The police departments of both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have taken extra-ordinary measures as Jayalalithaa enjoys Z-plus security cover and she will be present at the special court on Saturday when the final order will be pronounced.

The police department has deployed security forces including personnel from Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), Border Security Force, City Armed Reserve (CAR) and hundreds of policemen in civil dress at key places. There will be close to 5,000 police personnel for the security throughout the city, he said.

"In addition to this, we have also requested for deployment of Rapid Action Force (RAF). There will be almost 2,000 police personnel within a kilometer radius of the Central Jail and another 2,000 persons across the city of Bangalore," Kumar said.

He said the department has pressed into service two joint commissioners of police, 17 assistant commissioners of police and 50 inspectors among others on duty. "We are also in touch with the Tamil Nadu police for sharing concerns and information on the movement of people from the state border areas," he said.

The police has installed CCTV cameras at several strategic locations. Vehicles moving in and around Parappana Agrahara will be thoroughly checked. The police are also checking hotels and lodges in the city, which have been booked by the people coming from Tamil Nadu, sources said.

According to information reaching the state police department that over 10,000 persons are expected to arrive in Bangalore from Tamil Nadu in support of Jayalalithaa. The police have taken precaution to prevent unwanted elements entering the Bangalore from Hosur in Tamil Nadu. No one will be allowed to move around at least one km from the central prison premises, the police sources said.

It is expected that a number of ministers, MLAs and functionaries of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) to arrive in Bangalore by Friday evening.

At a high-level meeting convened by the Karnataka police recently, Inspector-General of Police (Intelligence) and Superintendent of Police (Security) and others from Tamil Nadu took part. Issues related to providing protection to Tamil Nadu chief minister were discussed and an action plan was also drawn up.

Jayalalithaa has been charged with accumulating Rs 66 crore wealth disproportionate to known sources of her income from 1991-96 in her first term as Chief Minister.