Day 2 in jail for Jayalalithaa

Spending her second day in prison, AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa, convicted and sent to prison for four years by a Special court here in a disproportionate assets case, began her day early today with a morning walk.

Jayalalithaa, who is now prisoner number 7402 at the Parappana Agrahara central prison here, began her day around 5:30 am, and took a stroll within the premises of the jail, prison sources said.

The 66-year old three-time chief minister read three Tamil and two English newspapers followed by breakfast brought from outside the jail, they said.

Jayalalithaa has been allotted VVIP cell number 23 of the prison which is next to the women's barrack.

Sources said Ministers and leaders of the party including former Chief Minister and the present Finance Minister O Panneerselvam were not allowed to meet Jayalalithaa as today being Sunday no visitors are allowed inside the prison.

Jayalalithaa was served dinner last night by the jail authorities, but she is said to have refused it and took fruits instead, according to the sources.

Other convicts Sasikala Natarajan, Illavarasi and Sudhakaran have been given prisoner numbers 7403, 7404 and 7405 respectively.

Sudhakaran has been allocated a VIP cell next to former Karnataka Tourism Minister and Mining baron G Janardhana Reddy.

Meanwhile, a group of Jayalalithaa supporters and party workers marched towards the jail seeking an opportunity to meet their leader but they were stopped by police officials on their way.

On being asked about Karnataka being blamed for Jayalalithaa's conviction by some quarters, state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, "Karnataka has nothing to do with it (judgement). The case proceedings against Jayalalithaa took place in Karnataka following the judgment from the Supreme Court."

"Adequate security arrangements and police bandobast have been made to see that no untoward incident takes place. We will see to it that there is no incident of violence," he added.