Samastipur: Neha Jha, who was arrested after around 75 litres of liquor were allegedly recovered from her trolley bag at Samastipur railway station, is finding the transition from travelling in an AC First Class VIP coupe to life in jail difficult, according to jail sources.
Jha has been lodged in the Kasturba Ward of Samastipur Mandal Jail since September 5. Her brother-in-law, Ishan, who was also arrested in connection with the alleged liquor seizure, has been lodged in the Krishna Ward, around 100 metres from the women’s ward.
Both were sent to Samastipur Mandal Jail by the railway police at around 6 pm on September 5. After the paperwork was completed, they were shifted to their respective wards at around 7 pm.
According to jail sources, Jha spent her first night crying and struggled to adjust to the routine inside the prison. She was served roti, vegetables and pickle as per the jail menu, but reportedly stared at the plate for some time before eating just one roti after a warder urged her to have dinner.
The dinner bell rang around 9 pm, after which inmates were instructed to go to their beds. Jha reportedly remained restless for a long time, sitting and getting up repeatedly before eventually lying down.
She reportedly struggled to sleep through the night. A warder told her that inmates have to wake up early in the morning, but she continued to have difficulty sleeping. By around 6 am, she had to join other inmates for the morning headcount.
Jha Asked To Follow Jail Routine
The following morning, Jha was served gram and jaggery for breakfast. According to jail sources, when she attempted to return to her bedding afterwards, a warder stopped her and explained that inmates have to follow the prescribed jail routine for sleeping, waking, sitting and other activities.
Jha reportedly told the warder that she was educated and wanted to teach other women inmates so that she could remain occupied. However, she was advised to use the jail library instead.
She spent some time in the library before sitting with women inmates who were learning stitching and embroidery. Sources said she remained quiet and did not interact much with others. She ate rice, dal and potato-brinjal curry for lunch.
Second Night Also Reportedly Difficult
According to jail sources, Jha ate only one roti during her second night as well. She reportedly remained awake until around 1.30 to 2 am, lying on her bedding and looking at the ceiling and walls.
Sources said she slept somewhat better that night compared with the first. She joined the other inmates for the morning headcount when the bell rang.
Jha’s first five nights in jail have reportedly followed a similar routine, with her struggling to adjust to the prison environment. Her family has provided clothes for both her and Ishan.
A jail official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said all inmates are treated equally inside the prison.
“All inmates are equal inside the jail. Facilities are being provided to everyone as per the jail manual, and their daily routine is governed by the prescribed rules,” the official said.
No Permission For Male Inmates To Enter Women’s Ward
Although Ishan is lodged in the Krishna Ward close to the Kasturba Ward, male inmates are not permitted to enter the women’s ward.
The two were arrested by Samastipur railway police in connection with the alleged recovery of around 75 litres of foreign liquor from Jha’s trolley bag at Samastipur railway station. They were reportedly travelling from Delhi in the VIP coupe of the First AC coach of the Swatantrata Senani Superfast Express without tickets.
What Is The Jail Routine?
According to the jail schedule, inmates are required to wake up at around 4 am after the morning bell. At 6 am, they line up for the headcount.
Breakfast is served around 7 am and generally consists of gram and jaggery. Lunch is served between noon and 1 pm and typically includes rice, dal, vegetables and roti.
Inmates are not permitted to sleep or rest during the period between breakfast and lunch. They are assigned various activities, including training programmes, stitching and embroidery, according to the jail routine.
After lunch, inmates are allowed to rest. Cleaning duties are scheduled around 4 pm, followed by another headcount at 6 pm.
Dinner is served around 8 pm and generally includes roti, rice, dal and vegetables. Dinner ends by 9 pm, after which inmates return to their respective barracks. The barracks are then locked from outside by warders or prison guards.
