Katta gives son a thrashing, blames him for his jail ordeal

All was not well on the first day in prison for former minister Katta Subramanya Naidu and his corporator son Katta Jagadish, who are in judicial custody for alleged involvement in the multi-crore Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) land scam case.

Jail authorities and followers of the duo witnessed a father-son dispute on  Tuesday. Sources said a depressed Subramanya Naidu accused his son of bringing about this misfortune, and even slapped him.

He felt that his reputation had been tarnished by the antics of his corporator son.

Naidu reportedly told Jagadish, “I have been soft towards you, and this is the result of that. Today, I am in jail because of you. How can I be in politics now on? I struggled to reach where I did, and you have gone and ruined it all for me.”

A dispirited Naidu could not sleep in the night. He was seen pacing till 3 am. Though homemade food was brought to him after special permission was granted, he apparently only drank water all night. This is a concern, for both Naidu and his son are diabetic.  

Jail authorities said Katta’s wife stayed in prison till midnight, unable to tear herself away from her jailed husband and son. Around 20 followers were also present in the jail till late night. Pillows, blankets and mosquito coils were given to the high-profile former minister who is now a prisoner.  

Katta was seen interacting with fellow-prisoners.  chief superintendent of prison, TH Lakshminarayana, said medical tests on Tuesday showed that the former minister’s medical condition was normal, with minor digestion problems.
Horde of followers

On Tuesday, Naidu’s followers and well-wishers thronged the jail. Among those who met Naidu were Sugunendra Theertha swamiji, Bellary ex-MLA Mundlooru Divakar Babu, Anjanappa, BJP MLA Kalasappa Bandi and Hebbal corporator CR Jayapa Reddy.

Visitors kept pouring in till evening. Four of his followers and family members were in the jail till late in the evening.
Earlier, Naidu refused to eat chitranna (lemon rice) prepared as breakfast in the jail. He even refused the coffee made for prisoners.

Homemade food arrived for the former minister and his son, who were served ragi ball and bassaru around 12.30 pm. Food was also brought in the evening.

Four of Naidu’s doctors visited him  in the evening. Naidu is administered insulin regularly. Katta Jagadish, who is also diabetic, takes pills. Ithasca Software managing director SV Srinivas, an associate of the Kattas who is also jailed for involvement in KIADB scam, is reported to be healthy. Naidu was given the number 7801, Jagadish 7802 and Srinivas 7803.
Hall of infamy

Jagadish and Srinivas are lodged in a single cell located at the entrance of D Block of the newly-constructed building, the high-security wing.

The cell has a ceiling fan, attached bathroom and  tubelight. There are three gates to reach Katta’s cell. A police officer is deployed at the entrance of the first gate.

The cell is meant for VIP politicians, officials trapped by Lokayukta police and also notorious criminals.

Rowdies Cycle Ravi and Silent Sunila are in B Block. Bangalore blast case accused Abdul Nasser Madani and other high-profile accused are in other blocks.