Three prison officials in Bengaluru have been suspended after inmates released videos exposing security lapses and alleged corruption within Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, sparking an investigation into mobile phone access and staff negligence.
Key Points
- Three prison officials suspended after videos surfaced allegedly recorded by inmates at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison.
- The videos purportedly targeted the Director General of Police (Prisons) Alok Kumar, alleging access to mobile phones and implicating senior officials.
- Prison department denies claims of officials providing mobile phones to inmates.
- Authorities have identified prisoners involved in recording and releasing the videos, linking them to a murder case and accusing them of attempting to derail prison reforms.
- An investigation is underway, focusing on staff negligence and addressing the issue of mobile connectivity within the prison.
Three prison officials have been suspended in connection with videos allegedly recorded and released by under-trial prisoners from inside Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, officials said on Sunday.
In the videos that were released by a news portal, the prisoners purportedly targeted the Director General of Police (Prisons) Alok Kumar. The prisoners were heard making claims about access to mobile phones, remarks about an upcoming IPL match in Bengaluru, and allegations that phones were provided by senior officials, they added.
The prison department denied the claims of officials providing mobile phones.
Following the development, jail warders Niranjan Kamath, Hanumantappa Hadpad and Shivanand Karlabatti were suspended by DGP (Prisons) Alok Kumar, the officials said.
"Three warders, Niranjan Kamath, Hanumantappa Hadpad and Shivanand Karlabatti are being placed under suspension for dereliction of duty," Alok Kumar told PTI.
Action has been initiated against the Jailer who was allegedly on supervisory duty at the time of the video recording.
Investigation and Accusations
Detailing the sequence of events, he said three video clippings were released from Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in a local news portal around 9 am on Saturday.
"One of our media friends shared those clippings with me. Chief Superintendent Anshu Kumar, and his team found out the mischief mongers and seized the mobile phones which were hidden inside the pipe in the toilet chamber."
According to Alok Kumar, the main accused in the case are the prisoners Darshan and Abhi, linked to the Hennur Bande murder case, while the voice in the clips was identified as that of Zypsin Daniel, another prisoner.
"To derail the process of reform, these prisoners deliberately shared the clippings with the media to bring a bad name and to demoralise the top hierarchy of the Prison and Correctional Services department," he said.
A complaint has been filed at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison Police Station against the accused.
The DGP further said action has been initiated against staff on duty during the night of March 27 and the morning of March 28.
Addressing Security Concerns
He also flagged the issue of mobile connectivity inside the prison.
"Presence of Airtel signal has been found in some parts of the prison. We are issuing a warning to them to take adequate measures to rectify the issue," he said.
"The process of reforms in the Prison and Correctional Services department will go on despite a few vested interests trying to subvert the process. Our team of officers and men have been working very hard to implement the proposed changes," Alok Kumar added.
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