Bengaluru: Barely days after videos of inmates, including a suspected ISIS terrorist, a serial killer and a rapist using mobile phones and watching television within the premises of the Bengaluru Central Jail emerged, fresh footage of a party by inmates has gone viral.
This video shows disposable glasses filled with liquor, along with plates of cut fruits and fried peanuts, neatly set up for what appears to be a party inside the jail.
Four small liquor bottles placed in order can also be seen in the video. A few inmates are seen dancing to the sound of utensils being banged against each other.
This Jail in Bengaluru is a high-security facility. In the past, there has been footage showing a murder accused celebrating his birthday by cutting a cake with a garland of apples around his neck.
Last year, Kannada actor Darshan, who was housed at the correctional facility, was spotted sitting on a chair, sipping coffee with a cigarette in his hands, while chatting with other inmates.
On Sunday, Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara said that he had taken serious note of the alleged irregularities at the prison. He had apparently asked for a report from additional director general of police (prisons) B Dayananda.
“I have asked him (ADGP Dayananda) to give me a report. If the report is not satisfactory, I will set up a separate committee and take corrective measures. I will not tolerate this nonsense. Enough is enough, because these things should not happen again,” the minister said.
“They (prison officials) often say there is a shortage of staff, but the existing staff should at least perform their duties well. That is not an excuse. If they provide television, mobile phones and other things on the pretext of a lack of staff, then why should it be called a jail?” the minister added.
Parameshwara said that the government had already approved the installation of CCTV cameras and jammers in prisons. Responding to the videos of inmates having access to mobile phones, he said,
“Not just terrorists, phones or any other facilities should not be in anyone’s hand inside the jail. No one will call it a jail then.”
Prison authorities launched an internal inquiry on Saturday to verify the authenticity of the videos and identify those responsible for the lapses in security at the prison.