Audio clip reveals jail warder demanding bribe

The accused is a manager of a noted firecracker unit, arrested after a fire mishap in the facility. He was lodged in the Sankaran Koil sub-jail as per COVID-19 protocol. The caller introduces himself as Vairamani, the chief head warden. He wanted to know how the person on the other end of the phone (colleague of the accused ) ended up paying so much money when the manager inside the jail is not getting any preferential treatment.

“You have paid him so much. You ask him why your man is not even getting tea? Why your man is not allowed to go out of the cell. If you get in touch with us, we will make sure that your man is getting all the special attention. Don’t pay him anything,” Vairamani said, trying to lure the man to his side so that he can extort money. It is not clear who had received Rs 14,000 as bribe after promising special treatment to the accused. “Please don’t think I am forcing you. You can come and see me at 9 am and if you want to do something for me, do it,” the chief head warden concluded. On Friday, Palayamkottai Central jail superintendent Krishnakumar told DT Next that an enquiry has been initiated on the chief head warden and also into the bribe, in which Rs 14,000 has been received by jail staff.