The Karnataka cabinet on Friday decided to impose higher penalties for anyone found using mobile phones and electronic gadgets in jail, trying to curb the growing number of irregularities within Bengaluru central prison.
The decision comes over a month after a video of a history-sheeter getting special treatment in Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara jail surfaced on social media, forcing the state government to order a probe.
In the video, allegedly shot by another inmate, the prisoner was seen enjoying comforts like a sofa and television. There were also allegations that he was getting special food, alcohol and cigarettes, which he secured by paying bribes.
Post the incident, chief minister Basavaraj Bommai himself intervened in the matter and directed officials to order a probe.
“The act would only make it punishable for those who get special privileges like food and cigarettes. With this, we have added even mobile phones and other electronic gadgets,” said a person aware of the developments, requesting not to be named.
The new direction will attract higher penalties to those bringing or smuggling in these gadgets, according to the decision taken by the state cabinet.
The amendment will carry a jail term and fine for even those who facilitate such acts inside the jail.
In July 2017, then Deputy Inspector General (DIG) prisons, D Roopa, had submitted a report of widespread corruption, drug abuse, mismanagement and an alleged bribe paid by VK Sasikala, who was then the AIADMK general secretary for preferential treatment while housed in Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara jail.
Roopa, in her report, stated that during her visit to Parappana Agrahara on 10 July 2017, she found Sasikala was provided with a separate kitchen among other serious irregularities which include drug abuse, unregulated movement of prisoners, threatening and assault of medical staff by prisoners for favourable reports among other serious charges.
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