Bangalore: The Karnataka authorities on Monday suspended two jail officers and transferred one other, saying central prisons will probably be manned by IPS officers after a video of inmates frolicking inside jail premises utilizing cellphones resurfaced final week, resulting in political turmoil within the state.
A brand new video that has gone viral purports to point out infamous inmates at Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Jail, together with serial rapist Umesh Reddy and suspected ISIS recruit Juhad Hameed Shakeel Manna, receiving preferential remedy akin to having the ability to speak on smartphones.
In response, Karnataka Residence Minister G. Parameshwara informed reporters in Bengaluru on Monday: “We’ve informed them (jail officers) very sternly that this sort of factor won’t be tolerated by the federal government. We’re taking this very critically… It isn’t like the federal government goes to close its eyes and amuse itself.”
In the meantime, the state opposition Bharatiya Janata Celebration (BJP) took to the streets in Bengaluru, alleging that the Siddaramaiah-led Congress authorities was “pacifying terrorists” in prisons.
Karnataka opposition chief R. Ashoka informed reporters on Monday that “royal favors are prolonged even to terrorists who goal to divide the nation and kill Hindus.”
A high-powered probe committee headed by ADGP (regulation and order) R Hytendra will now look at the movies, one in every of which reveals Manna ingesting tea, scrolling on her cellphone and speaking to the individual recording the video.
4 years in the past, Manna, a pc purposes specialist, was arrested together with a minimum of one different individual for allegedly sending practically six youths from Bengaluru to Syria to hitch ISIS between 2013 and 2014, The Indian Categorical reported.
One other video that added gasoline to the hearth is a video of convicted serial rapist Umesh Reddy utilizing a number of cellphones and a movie-like track being performed on TV.
These movies couldn’t be independently verified by ThePrint.
Among the movies are mentioned to have been shot two years in the past, based on the Inside Ministry and senior police officers. Nevertheless, Parameshwara admitted that such incidents had been reported solely just lately.
In recent times, incidents of inmates receiving particular privileges at Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Jail have elevated, elevating issues in regards to the adequacy of safety measures to forestall such acts.
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“Command Heart”
In October this yr, Gubakki Sena, a suspect concerned in homicide and dacoit circumstances, was seen celebrating his birthday in jail surrounded by pals and associates, reducing a cake with a machete. An apple wreath was additionally introduced to him.
In August 2024, Kannada actor Darshan Tugdeepa, the principle accused within the homicide case, was seen enjoyable outside, ingesting espresso, smoking cigarettes and even waving throughout a video name.
In July 2017, allegations arose that Sasikala, an aide to former Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa, had paid billions of rupees for jail facilities akin to a separate kitchen, servants and freedom of motion.
The then Deputy Inspector Basic (DIG) of Prisons, D. Roopa, submitted a report that dropped at the fore critical costs akin to widespread corruption, drug abuse, mismanagement, disorderly motion of inmates, intimidation and assault on well being staff.
Karnataka Residence Minister G. Parameshwara mentioned greater than 1,000 surveillance cameras have been put in in all prisons within the state and the footage will probably be shared with the central command heart on the state prisons headquarters.
Parameshwara added {that a} technical audit will probably be performed throughout the subsequent 15 days and a command heart will probably be arrange in Bengaluru.
The inside minister additionally mentioned that every one officers who’ve served greater than 5 years in jail will probably be instantly eliminated to interrupt ties between police and prisoners.
Parameshwara added that the variety of baggage scanners, cellular phone jammers and different tools may also be doubled to make it tough to smuggle cellphones, weapons and different contraband into prisons. He mentioned the inside minister himself would search the supply of the video from journalists, stressing that such data needs to be voluntary.
Parappana Agrahara Jail homes round 5,000 undertrial and convicted inmates. The inside minister mentioned this elevated the probability of violations and proposed that the 2 classes be managed individually any longer.
The inside minister additionally mentioned that the recruitment of 197 guards, 22 instructors and three assistant superintendents had already been authorized. It added that it’s also awaiting approval to rent 983 jail guards and 17 jail guards.
“Jail or nightclub?”
“When the rice cooker explosion occurred, they referred to as them ‘brothers’. They even served biryani to individuals shouting ‘Pakistan Zindabad’. Congress is not directly supporting terrorists. Regardless of spending Rs 5,000 crore to put in a whole bunch of CCTV cameras in prisons, the cameras have been turned off,” LoP R Ashoka mentioned on Monday, slamming the Siddaramaiah-led authorities squarely.
He claimed that “bombs, meat, marijuana and cellphones” had been being smuggled into the jail undetected, however intelligence remained in the dead of night.
“Prisoners are utilizing cellphones to make threats and earn cash…The police are additionally cooperating on this. The Congress authorities has launched the terrorists. Just like the surety, royal hospitality in jail can be being offered freed from cost,” Ashoka added.
In the meantime, Bharatiya Janata Celebration state president BY Vijayendra mentioned the central jail had been was a “nightclub”.
Based on the social gathering, the BJP has requested the Nationwide Investigation Company (NIA) to probe the matter as terror suspects had been additionally concerned within the alleged violation and the matter is at the moment past the purview of the state authorities. In the meantime, the social gathering plans to go forward with its protests and lay siege to the prime minister’s dwelling on Tuesday.
Commenting on the incident, Kiran Bedi, a former IPS officer and Lieutenant Governor of Pondicherry, mentioned: “Take motion now. Take away jail guards. Instantly. Why do that? It sends a message of zero tolerance.”
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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