Mobile phones continue to sneak into Bengaluru prison

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Bengaluru: Despite strict security measures and inspection, mobile phone usage continues unabated in Parappana Agrahara Central Prison here.

During a check, prison officials recently found and seized three mobile phones from a toilet room of barrack number six of Tower 1, sources told News Trail.

The incident comes in the backdrop of the Central Crime Branch busting an alleged terror module by arresting five suspects in Bengaluru recently.

According to the CCB, the suspects were allegedly radicalised and had links with an extremist who is currently lodged at the Central Prison here. Sources from the prison said that the mobile phones were recovered during a raid at the cells on July 21 by the prison officials.

The mobile phones were found in the toilet rooms used by the inmates. Various forms of irregularities at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison have been frequently reported. The sources also said that there are high capacity cell-phone jammers installed inside the prison which not only blocks mobile phone networks in the premises, but also in the surrounding areas.

Even the prison officials have to come out of the range to make a call. It can be a security lapse that despite having a number of personnel and high tech cameras and devices installed in the premises, the prisoners are often caught using drugs, or continuing their illegal activities even from inside the prison by contacting their accomplices over the phone.

Those who are caught by the prison staff would be booked under various sections of Karnataka Prison Act and are subjected to interrogation.

However, such incidents have not reduced. There are several reports which allege that in some cases, the jail officials were bribed. Earlier this month, an inquiry was initiated against officers for allegedly helping two prisoners in contacting their relatives while being escorted to the court in the city.

Following the arrest of the terror suspects, Additional Director General of Police (Prisons) Malini Krishnamurthy had ordered an internal inquiry to ascertain if Thadiyantevide Nasir, a prisoner and a prime accused in the 2008 Bengaluru serial blast, had been in contact with the suspects.

The mobile phones were found during raids carried out by prison officials based on orders of a senior official. According to sources, officials also found several documents during the raid, which are yet to be verified.