Delhi Court will decide Amar Singh’s bail plea today

A Delhi court will decide on the interim bail plea of Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh on Monday. Singh is under custody in connection with the 2008 cash-for-votes case.

Singh has sought bail on health grounds in view of his "deteriorating" health. His lawyer Hariharan told Special Judge Sangita Dhingra Sehgal that unless he was released urgently; he might not be "here for the trial".

The counsel, during the hearing on September 9, pleaded that Amar Singh is suffering from urinary tract infection, which might worsen in Tihar jail as he has to share a common toilet with other inmates. "He has developed a urinary tract infection after the kidney transplant. Urinary tract infection is dangerous for a person who has undergone kidney transplant. This could lead to renal failure," he said.

"His condition might lead to kidney failure completely. He is advised to keep himself in an infection-free environment which cannot be guaranteed by the jail authorities," he said.

However, Tihar Jail authorities have made it clear before the court that the former Samajwadi Party strongman has been kept in a separate cell under hygienic conditions in the prison.

The report submitted to the court, through fax, however, added that the outcome of some crucial medical tests of Singh is still awaited.

After receiving the report, the court had posted the matter for further arguments on the interim bail plea of 55-year-old former Samajwadi Party general secretary to today and directed the jail authorities to submit all medical reports by 11 am on Monday.

In its report, the prison authorities also told the court that its jail hospital has well-equipped ambulances to rush a patient to appropriate hospitals in a condition of emergency round-the-clock.

The jail administration said Singh, who was arrested on September 6 for his alleged role in the cash-for-vote scam, has been kept in ward number four of jail number three which has 20 cells each measuring 22x8 feet. Each cell has its own separate toilet and bathroom and Singh does not have to share common public toilet, it said.

The report also said Singh, who had initially refused to give his blood sample for the medical test, agreed to give a sample this morning.

However, the counsel for Singh told the court that the reports "are only cursory" and "an opinion of jail superintendent", which cannot be relied upon.

Amar saga: Lonely night in 10X15 Tihar cell

From being at the centerstage of country’s power politics to a lonely cell in Tihar Jail, Amar Singh’s worst fears seem to have come true. The former Samajwadi Party strongman and sitting Rajya Sabha MP, who was arrested yesterday in connection with the infamous cash-for-votes scam, spent a lonely and restless night in Tihar Jail.

Amar Singh has been lodged in a 10X15 feet cell in jail number three of the high security prison. He was allotted a cell close to the jail hospital in view of his health condition – he had undergone kidney transplant surgery last year.

Soon after he was brought in, jail doctors checked his sugar and blood pressure, while Singh informed the doctors about his health condition. He has been allowed to keep his medicines.

Interestingly, Amar Singh’s cell is adjacent to that of Afzal Guru, who has been sentenced to death in the Parliament attack case and is waiting for the President to decide on his mercy plea.

55-year-old Amar Singh, who has rubbed shoulders with India's top corporate honchos to Bollywood stars and was on the must invite list of A-list parties in his hey-days had to do with simple jail food, which he ate quietly. However in view of his renal condition, Singh was allowed to use mineral water brought from outside.

A 3X8 feet size raised platform is what is bed, with toilet being a few feet of space behind a curtain inside the cell. One blanket and mosquito net were the only comforts allowed, apart from the two books he brought with him.

As per jail authorities, Amar Singh had no special requests; he was seen engrossed in thought as read the books late into the night.

Amar Singh is the fifth sitting MP to be lodged in Tihar.

Two former MPs Fagan Singh Kulaste and Mahavir Singh Bhagora have also been sent to judicial custody till Sep 19 in connection with the cash-for-votes scam.

The three have been booked under section 120 (B) of the Indian Penal Code (criminal conspiracy) and section 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act for alleged involvement in the attempt to bribe MPs ahead of the July 2008 Parliament trust vote.

Sitting BJP MP Ashok Argal, who was also chargesheeted by the CBI, was not arrested. The police have sought permission from Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar to arrest him.

Anna Hazare leaves Tihar jail to begin hunger strike

Amid crowd cheering and following him, Anna Hazare reached Rajghat on way to Ramlila Maidan from Tihar jail. He addresses his supporters after reaching the venue for protest. Thousands of people, many of them school children, thronged the Ramlila Maidan despite rains to support the social activist in his fight for a stringent anti-corruption law.

There were cheers and hail Anna slogans as the announcement was made that Hazare had left Tihar jail after three days and would slowly make his way to the Ramlila Maidan, via Mahatma Gandhi's memorial Rajghat and India Gate.

I will join you all people at Ramlila Maidan. We should not let this spirit die down. Our freedom struggle is incomplete till corruption is wiped out. We want corruption to be completely removed from India. The fight against corruption is far from over. The fight for freedom has started," said Hazare.

Emphasizing that this is India's second freedom struggle, Hazare thanking his supporters for the massive support said: "The second freedom struggle has started from August 16. India will not really be free until this movement is successful. This movement must not die."

Kiran Bedi, who was overseeing the arrangements at Ramlila Maidan, made regular requests to people to maintain calm and peace.
Hazare had planned to begin his fast for a stronger lokpal bill at the JP Park in the ITO area here Tuesday.

Anna will go Ramlila ground tomorrow

Delhi Police gave the permission for a 15-day fast at Ramlila Maidan on Wednesday night after talks between Team Anna and Delhi Police Commissioner BK Gupta.

74-year-old Gandhian will reach the Ramlila Maidan for his indefinite anti-corruption fast on Friday (August 19) since the venue is not yet prepared for him and his supporters to hold the hunger strike. Anna's close aide Arvind Kejriwal said, "In view of conditions at Ramlila Maidan, Anna Hazare will reach the place tomorrow."

Kerjriwal is said to have updated Anna Hazare about the situation at the Ramlila Maidan, where the Municipal Corporation of Delhi is working doubly hard to ensure that the venue is ready for the fast. Following this, Anna took the decision to reach the venue only tomorrow.

After this recent development, it remains to be seen if Anna will leave Tihar Jail today as reported earlier, or whether he will stay for a third night at the high profile jail. Team Anna’s key member Kiran Bedi said that they would visit the ground to take stock of the preparations and once they are satisfied with the same, they will inform Anna.

According to sources, the jail authorities have completed the necessary formalities for Anna's release and are awaiting for an official green signal.

A team of doctors from the Medanta Medicity, GP Pant Hospital and the Tihar Jail hospital examined Anna Hazare and declared that his condition is stable.

After he left the Tihar Jail, Kejriwal had said, "The MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) has to prepare the ground first and hand it over to us. Then we will prepare the stage, etc. Only when it is ready, Anna will leave Tihar. We have just spoken to Delhi Police Commissioner, he has assured me that a Deputy Commissioner will personally look at the arrangement at Ramlila Maidan."

Hazare supporters have said that their protests will only end after the Government agrees to a strong Lokpal bill in parliament. Supporters have started to gather at Ramlila Maidan in anticipation of his arrival. Police have made heavy security arrangements at the fast venue and are combing the ground with sniffer dogs and metal detectors to secure the area.

Team Anna has also given a two-page undertaking to police on its protest fast in Ramlila Maidan, saying they would abide by existing rules and regulations and the crowd will not exceed the capacity of the ground, which is around 25,000 people. In the undertaking signed by Anna Hazare himself and his associates - Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan, Kiran Bedi and Shanti Bhushan, they also said that if any clause of it was violated, they would be liable to be prosecuted under law.

Anna Hazare to remain in Tihar till Ramlila Maidan is ready

Anna Hazare's health continues to be a matter of national concern. The member of Team Anna, Arvind Kejriwal, said a team of doctors would check on Anna Hazare just before his release from hospital. These reportedly would consist of doctors from a government hospital and those from Naresh Trehan's Vedanta Medicity.

''Anna Hazare's health is fine. A medical team from GB Pant hospital visited him on Wednesday evening. But he said that when jail doctors are taking care of him he does not need another medical team?''

Kejriiwal added that a medical team would be with Anna at all times, and that the Ramlila ground was being made ready for the Gandhian's purported fast to end corruption.       

''The Ramlila ground is being prepared. Only when it is ready to go, will Anna come out of Tihar jail. As things stands today, MCD has to prepare the grounds since it is full of muck. The ground has to be made ready because if the crowd reaches Ramlila grounds before we reach, it will be difficult to set up tents for them.

On Wednesday, defying the Delhi Police's earlier diktats, Anna Hazare had courted arrest demanding that he be allowed to fast without any conditions. After a late night meeting with the Delhi Police Commissioner B K Gupta, Team Anna said that the Gandhian had decided to accept the city police's offer permitting him to stage his protest for 14 days which could be extended later.

The leading player of the movement, Arvind Kejriwal said Anna Hazare will leave Tihar only when the Ramlila ground is ready. He will not move anywhere else. He will move straight from the jail to the Ramlila Maidan.

Sri Sri Ravishankar reaches Tihar to meet Anna

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and the Art of Living Foundation head Sri Sri Ravishankar on Wednesday joined protestors expressing solidarity with Anna Hazare outside Tihar Jail.

Sri Sri has been a long standing supporter of Mr Hazare's movement India Against Corruption.

Sri Sri Ravishankar told, "I have come here to meet Anna Hazare".

Asked to comment on the government's action against Mr Hazare, Sri Sri said "will any sane person say that it was the right action?"

In a veiled criticism of Congress, he criticised the "double-speak" of the party saying "it is not good that one day Hazare is accused of corruption and the next day you say this is not good".

Ramdev, with whom Hazare and his associates have differences due to his alleged links with Hindutva elements, reached Tihar Jail on Wednesday afternoon. He was denied entry in Tihar Jail to meet Anna Hazare.

Earlier, Ramdev submitted a memorandum against Hazare's arrest to President Pratibha Patil. Addressing protesters, Ramdev termed Hazare's arrest as a "conspiracy in the name of democracy".

Anna is fighting for a strong Lokpal and his dream will be fulfilled. The whole country and all patriotic countrymen are with him in this struggle," he said.

Activists Kiran Bedi, Swami Agnivesh and Medha Patkar had earlier joined hundreds of protestors while a large number of the Gandhian's supporters took out marches across the city.