Manish Sisodia assigned in segregated ward as AAP fears for his safety inside Tihar jail

Prison Officials on Wednesday said that former deputy chief minister of Delhi and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia has been assigned a segregated ward keeping his security in mind. The ward of CJ-1, where he is lodged has minimum number of inmates who are not gangsters and are maintaining good conduct inside the jail.

''A separate cell makes it possible for him to meditate or do other activities without any disturbance. All arrangements, as per Jail Rules, are in place to ensure his safety and security. Any aspersions cast about his lodgings are unfounded,'' prison officials told news agency ANI.

Earlier, AAP national spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that Sisodia is being kept with other inmates in jail and has been refused the 'vipassana' cell.

"There was a request for Manish Sisodia to be kept in the vipassana cell of the jail and the same was approved by the court. Despite the court's approval, Mr. Sisodia has been kept with criminals in jail number 1. The Centre must give the answer," Bharadwaj said.

Sisodia, the former Delhi deputy chief minister and an accused in the excise policy scam, is lodged in a Tihar prison cell for senior citizens.

Officials had earlier said that Manish Sisodia will be lodged inside Tihar Jail Number-1 which is meant for a single person who is a senior citizen.

The court had allowed the senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to carry the Bhagavad Gita, spectacles and medicines to jail, and directed the Tihar authorities to consider his request to be allowed to do Vipassana meditation.