Bengaluru: A major row has erupted after videos emerged of notorious inmates of a high security prison in Bengaluru using mobile phones and watching television inside the facility.
The preferential treatment given to the inmates at the city’s Parappana Agrahara Central Jail is a clear security breach and a probe has been ordered.
Among those seen using mobile phones is Juhad Hameed Shakeel Manna, accused of being a recruiter for the terror group ISIS and serial rapist and killer Umesh Reddy. The latter was also seen watching television inside his cell.
Another inmate seen using a mobile phone is Telugu actor Tarun, a co-accused in the sensational gold smuggling case involving actor Ranya Rao;
It has been alleged that terror suspect Shakeel Manna was in contact with his associates outside the jail.
The undated videos, which recently surfaced on social media, triggered serious security concerns. Prison authorities said on Saturday that an internal inquiry has been launched to verify the authenticity of the footage and identify those responsible.
“Further action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation,” an official said.
The Parappana Agrahara Central Jail has been in the news for the wrong reasons in the past as well. In October, a video was circulated, showing a notorious rowdy-sheeter, Srinivas, also known as Gubbachi Seena, celebrating his birthday behind the bars.
Srinivas, who is a murder case accused, was seen cutting a cake and wearing an apple garland whole surrounded by fellow inmates. Videos and photos of the celebration, reportedly recorded on mobile phones and later shared on social media, once again raised serious questions about security, oversight, and accountability within the prison system.
In 2024, Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is in custody in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case, receiving VIP treatment inside the same jail. He was seen seated on a chair, holding a cigarette and a coffee mug, while chatting with fellow inmates, including history-sheeter Wilson Garden Naga.
Karnataka home minister G Parmeshwara has reacted strongly to the videos that are being circulated.
Such violations cannot be tolerated, he said and confirmed that he has already sought a detailed report on the matter. He added that a high-level meeting will soon be convened to address the serious issue.
“Such things cannot be tolerated. If this continues, it cannot be called a jail anymore. I will call a meeting of senior police officers and take this issue seriously. I have asked for a report, and if it is not satisfactory, I will form another committee. If the police report fails to bring clarity, we will conduct a separate investigation. No one, whether a terrorist or anyone else, should have access to a phone,” he said.
“In the past too, when such incidents occurred, we suspended officers and took action. Even earlier at Parappana Agrahara jail, we had suspended those found guilty and implemented corrective measures. We have appointed B Dayanand as the head. He was on leave yesterday, but I have spoken to him and directed him to investigate and submit a report,” the minister added.
Even if the videos are old, such incidents should never have take place, Parmeshwara said.
