Now, biriyani video from Puzhal prison goes viral

The video clip shows inmates sitting in a casual manner, cutting vegetables, while one of them is seen consuming meals at the same spot. The footage, captured using a mobile phone camera, also takes the viewers around the prison hall, which has rice bags, oil tins, and other cooking ingredients.

The department was caught on the backfoot ever since the photos of the inmates in stylish attire, including sunglasses, were leaked few weeks ago. These images set off a huge controversy, as they raised questions about the efficacy of the restrictions placed on prisoners. 

However, the officers put up a brave front, arguing that facilities availed by the inmates were permissible as per the Prison Manual. They had even claimed that maintained that there was no proof that meal was being prepared and sold by a group of inmates to those who can afford to buy this at inflated rates.

Prison Department had shifted five of the inmates to other central prisons, while a number of prison staff were shunted out – in some cases, with specific instruction that they should not be given any sensitive work.