Accused of tweaking rules to favour a few telecom companies at a massive loss to the exchequer, former communications minister A Raja is living by the rule inside Tihar Jail, where he spent the first night of what could be a long stay behind bars.

He was sent to the jail for 14 days by a special court yesterday. Lodged in a high-security VIP ward, Raja was out of his cell by 6 am, a jail official said, and stood in the queue with other inmates for the roll call. Then he had tea and read newspapers, spoke to a few inmates who had wished him and had the staple jail food of roti and daal. Raja complained of not getting a sound sleep.

He also spent time reading books he has brought with him but was not very chatty.

Published Date : Saturday, 19/2/2011 3:02 PM IST