Jan 8, 2014

Maharishi Vidya Mandir chairman breaks 'maun vrat' in jail

Ankur Sirothia,TNN | Jan 5, 2014, 06.17 PM IST

BHOPAL: Chairman of Maharishi Vidya Mandir group of schools Girish Chandra Varma broke his silence on Saturday by delivering a religious discourse to a group of inmates. 

Accused of rape, Varma was on a 'maun vrat' from January 1 to 3. 

He interacted with 29 other undertrials locked with him in a crammed cell of the jail and gave them sermons about life. The inmates in his cell seem to be enjoying his company. They have learnt to have requested the jail authorities not to shift him. 

On Saturday, Varma's mother and a close associate, Vasudev, visited the jail and met him. 

According to jail sources, Varma is learnt to have said that jail is the janam stahli of lord Krishna and soon, things would become normal. 

Varma said he wanted to resume work on the book on religion he was writing. He asked his mother and Vasudev to send the text of the book that he was writing so that he can finalize it, as he has a lot of free time in jail. As per jail manual, an undertrial is not forced to work in jail. 

The deputy superintendent of Bhopal Central Jail L K S Bhadoria confirmed to TOI that Varma's mother and his close aide Vasudev had come to meet him in jail. 

Regarding Varma's health, Bhadoria said he is a diabetic and takes insulin. As per court's orders, he has been allowed to take his regular medicine. His blood pressure was on the higher side, Bhadoria added. 

Varma was arrested on December 29 and sent to judicial remand after three days of police custody. He is accused of raping a former school teacher of Maharishi Vidya Mandir School for nearly 15 years. His lawyers moved a bail application in Bhopal district court that was rejected. 

Varma's supporters are keeping a close eye on his needs inside jail and on January 2 had provided him a bag carrying articles of basic needs. Jail officials said he is being treated as per the jail manuals and no special treatment is given to him.