Exclusive Audio: Alok Kumar wants to meet jailer’s family who blamed him for harassment in suicide episode

Bengaluru

In a development that may land Director General of Police (DGP) rank IPS officer Alok Kumar in further controversy, he has allegedly asked the wife of deceased jailer Siddaramappa Vaddar to meet him on Wednesday, even as allegations have surfaced that the family was attempting to register a formal complaint against him over the circumstances leading to the jailer’s death. Alok Kumar is serving as DGP Prisons and Correctional Services Department.

The deceased jailer’s wife, Laxmi, had publicly alleged in the media that the mental torture inflicted by Alok Kumar drove her husband to take his own life. Siddaramappa Vaddar died by suicide at the prison quarters on June 12. Prior to his death, he had been suspended and later transferred to Mysuru prison. According to his family members, he was under tremendous pressure and had joined duty at Mysuru prison on June 1.

Laxmi alleged that Siddaramappa had repeatedly expressed fear that Alok Kumar would send him to jail and that he was continuously subjected to mental harassment. Unable to bear the alleged pressure and torture, she claimed that Siddaramappa took the extreme step of ending his life.

In a 6-minute and 42-second mobile conversation, a recording of which is available with blrpost.com, Siddaramappa’s close relative Parashurama stated that Alok Kumar had personally spoken to Laxmi and invited the family to meet him on Wednesday.

“Alok Kumar has asked us to meet him on Wednesday and he himself spoke to Siddaramappa’s wife,” Parashurama said during the conversation.

Sources in the police department alleged that Laxmi had initially attempted to lodge a formal complaint at the Dharwad Sub-Urban police station. However, according to the sources, she was later pressured not to pursue the complaint.

Speaking to the reporter on the phone call, Parashurama, a resident of Hindodi in Belagavi district, held Alok Kumar responsible for Siddaramappa’s death, citing the allegations made by Laxmi.

“We were not able to register a complaint because we are currently busy with the last rites rituals and Alok Kumar has also invited us,” he said.

He further claimed that Alok Kumar had instructed the Dharwad Jail Superintendent to make arrangements for Laxmi to travel to Bengaluru for the meeting scheduled on Wednesday.

“This has happened because of Alok Kumar and now everything depends on him,” Parashurama said.

When asked whether Laxmi had received any financial assistance, Parashurama said that the police department had provided ₹30,000 towards the last rites. He added, “Laxmi is my elder sister’s daughter. She has a two-year-old child and now Alok Kumar will decide everything.”

According to Parashurama, Laxmi had alleged that Alok Kumar was the reason behind Siddaramappa’s death. He also stated that on Saturday (July 13) morning, Alok Kumar spoke to Laxmi and asked her to remain calm and meet him.

The allegations and the recorded conversation are likely to raise serious questions over the circumstances under which the family was asked to meet the senior police officer while they were considering filing a complaint in connection with the jailer’s death.

The sources said some senior IPS officers are backing Alok Kumar and mounted pressure of Hubballi-Dharward police commissioner Shashikumar not to register First Information Report (FIR).