Videos show Bengaluru Central Prison inmates using mobiles; 3 cops suspended

BENGALURU: Three undertrials were seen in videos using phones inside highly guarded Central Prison of Bengaluru. In the videos, the trio claimed DGP (Prisons & Correctional Services) Alok Kumar "provided them the devices".

During an internal probe, the undertrials admitted that, through the videos, they were trying to derail reforms launched by the DGP to clean up the jail. The probe has denied the charges levelled against the officer.

In the clips, the prisoners mock the officer and also speak of the March 28 match between RCB & SRH. The videos shot reportedly on March 27 went viral Saturday. Around 9am, the clips reached a news portal, prompting cops to launch a probe. Warders Niranjan Kamat, Hanumantappa Hadpad & Shivanand Karlabatti have been suspended.

The three officers were suspended for dereliction of duty. Action is initiated against the jailer on supervisory duty at the time.

Chief superintendent (prisons) Anshu Kumar and his team recovered three mobile phones wrapped in milk packets and hidden in a pipeline at 3ft depth. Detectors cannot spot the devices or contraband if hidden at that depth, a senior officer said.

The undertrials have been identified as Abhi, an accused in a murder case; Zypsin Daniel; and Sanjeev. Officials said the voice in the clips was that of Zypsin. According to Alok Kumar, the incident appears linked to recent administrative changes aimed at breaking communication network among inmates by shifting them into barracks based on the alphabetical order of their names.

As part of this process, Abhi's elder brother Darshan, also an accused in the murder case, was moved to a quarantine barrack on March 27. Officials believe the videos were recorded soon after this shift.

Alok Kumar visited the prison after the phones were traced and questioned the accused. The inmates claimed a Nigerian national lodged in the prison two years ago had handed over the phones, sim cards and a charger before his release.

A complaint was filed at Parappana Agrahara police station on March 28 against the three inmates. Parallel disciplinary proceedings have also been initiated against prison staff. Officials detected active network signals in parts of the prison, raising concerns about communication loopholes. A warning has been issued to the telecom provider to take corrective steps to prevent misuse within the facility.

Despite the breach, authorities said reform measures would continue. "Efforts to streamline and improve prison administration will not be deterred by vested interests attempting to disrupt the system," a senior official said.

The prisoners also had clips of other inmates using mobile phones to watch movies on OTT.