Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Five Cases Spotlight Alleged 'VIP Treatment' in Indian Jails
Some people who go to jail are famous or powerful, and there are stories that they get special treatment behind bars.
This is sometimes called 'VIP treatment.'
When this happens, people remember a famous saying from a story: 'some animals are more equal than others.'
A former politician named Prajwal Revanna was reportedly found with a mobile phone during a surprise check in his prison.
An actor named Darshan was seen in photos smoking inside prison, and prison officials were suspended over it.
A political leader named VK Sasikala was accused of having her own special kitchen in jail.
Years ago, a famous prisoner named Charles Sobhraj tricked guards with sleeping pills and escaped from jail.
A religious leader named Gurmeet Ram Rahim has been allowed to leave jail many times.
These stories make people ask whether everyone is treated the same in jail, and authorities say they are investigating.
Former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna was allegedly found with a mobile phone during a Crime Branch surprise raid at Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, and a case has been registered.
Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa faced scrutiny in 2024 after a photo showed him smoking on the prison lawn and a video appeared to show him making a video call while in custody in the Renukaswamy murder case.
In 2017, then-DIG (Prisons) D Roopa alleged AIADMK leader VK Sasikala received preferential treatment, including a separate kitchen, at Parappana Agrahara prison, with claims that officials were bribed.
Charles Sobhraj allegedly drugged guards and inmates with sleeping pills during a birthday party and escaped from Tihar Jail in March 1986, later being arrested in Goa.
Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim walked out of Sunaria jail in Rohtak on a 30-day parole in May 2026, his 16th temporary release since his 2017 conviction.
- Who
- High-profile prisoners including former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, AIADMK leader VK Sasikala, Charles Sobhraj and Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
- What
- Allegations of 'VIP treatment' in Indian jails, including possession of a mobile phone in prison, special kitchens, comfortable conditions and repeated temporary releases.
- When
- Article published August 12, 2026; the cases span from March 1986 to May 2026.
- Where
- Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru, Tihar Jail in Delhi and Sunaria jail in Rohtak.
- Why
- Concerns that influential convicts receive preferential treatment behind bars, triggering official inquiries and public criticism of unequal treatment in prisons.
- News Date
- August 12, 2026
- Location
- Delhi, India
- Main Subject
- Prajwal Revanna, former JD(S) MP sentenced to life imprisonment
- Prison in Focus
- Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, Bengaluru
- Cases Covered
- 5, spanning March 1986 to May 2026
- Latest Parole
- Gurmeet Ram Rahim's 16th temporary release, May 2026
- Inquiry Status
- RTI-based report found substance in some allegations against Sasikala
- Darshan Case
- Related to Renukaswamy murder case, 2024