Former AIADMK leader Sasikala learning Kannada in jail

Sasikala, who was the close confidante of late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, has even expressed  desire to learn Kannada at a higher level, the sources said.

"She has learnt Kannada alphabets now......she may apply for higher level of learning. She has learnt a little bit for now from the Kannada school at the female barracks in the prison," a prison official told PTI.

He said Sasikala could speak a little bit of Kannada now.

Meanwhile, a senior Bangalore University official said they have received Sasikala's application from jail for a certificate course in Kannada.

"We have received her application from the jail, for a certificate course in Kannada. It is a one year course," Dr B C Mylarappa, Director of Correspondence Courses & Distance Education of Bangalore University told PTI.

He said the course would commence shortly at the end of which there would be exams.

The classes would be conducted at the jail.

Sasikala, who took over the reins of AIADMK after the death of Jayalalithaa in December 2016, was later removed from the party by Chief Minister K Palaniswami-led camp.

Sasikala has been lodged in the Parapana Agrahara central jail since February 2017 after the Supreme Court upheld her conviction by a special court in a disproportionate assets case.

Her relatives Ilavarasi and V N Sudhakaran are also serving a four-year jail term in the case.