Date:13/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/13/stories/2007031315830700.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Prisoner's plea for DTH facility rejected

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: A designated court for Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act cases here has rejected a prisoner's plea for a Direct to Home (DTH) facility at his block in Puzhal Jail to watch world cup cricket matches.

T. Ramasamy, Designated Judge under the TADA Court-II, dismissed the petition filed by A. Abdul Rahim on the ground that the court had no jurisdiction to entertain the petition. He, however, said the prisoner was at liberty to approach the Government for the redressal of his problem. Mr. Rahim, arrested in connection with the August 1993 blast at RSS office here, sought DTH stating that it was necessary for time pass and to keep mental agony at bay.

However, counsel appearing for the Prison Department V. Kannadasan submitted that DTH would encourage indiscipline among inmates. Blocks at the Puzhal Prison complex had already been provided with a television set each to watch Doordarshan programmes, he added.