Maya Kodnani spends time in jail reading

Jailed former minister Maya Kodnani spends her time reading books and watching television in her barrack. She has been provided with a ceiling fan, a small table and a cot, an official said on Wednesday.

Kodnani, the former minister of state for women development and child welfare as well as higher education, is lodged in the Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad. She has been accused of abetting rioters in the Naroda Patia and Naroda gaam localities during the riots that broke out in the aftermath of the burning of coach S-6 of the Sabarmati Express that resulted in the death of 59 passengers.

“She hardly meets any guests these days except her family members and the lawyer who visits the Sabarmati jail regularly during the evening hours,” a jail official said. The official said no VIP facility had been provided to the former minister expect the luxury of having a small television in her room, getting books of her choice and food from home every day.

“Three woman police constables guard Kodnani’s barrack on eight-hour shifts and the minister is allowed to roam around within the jail premises as per the prescribed rules of the jail manual under security with the rule of getting back to the barrack at 6 pm,” he added.