A major controversy has erupted after a video purportedly filmed inside Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison surfaced on social media, claiming that inmates were enjoying luxury facilities behind bars. Prison authorities, however, alleged that the clip was a staged attempt to defame Karnataka Prisons DGP Alok Kumar and derail ongoing reform measures.
The video, which began circulating online on March 28, shows inmates boasting about alleged access to mobile phones, television sets and OTT platforms. The convicts are also heard referring to the upcoming IPL season, portraying what appears to be a lavish lifestyle within the prison.
Officials have dismissed these claims, alleging that the footage was deliberately created by certain inmates to malign the prison administration. According to them, the inmates were angered by recent crackdowns on illegal activities inside the jail and efforts to introduce systemic reforms.
An internal probe conducted by prison authorities identified three accused — Darshan, Abhi and Andrews. Darshan and Abhi have been in custody for the past two-and-a-half years in connection with a murder case. Police have registered a case, and all three have been shifted to a quarantine barrack.
During a subsequent search operation, officials recovered a mobile phone concealed inside a drainage pipe in a toilet chamber. The device had been wrapped in used milk packets, allegedly to evade detection.
As a disciplinary action, authorities suspended three warders — Shivanand Karlabatti, Niranjan A Kamat and Hanumanthappa Hadapad — for dereliction of duty. Further action is also likely against the jailer who was on supervisory duty at the time of the incident.
Prisons DGP Alok Kumar said the clips were deliberately leaked to the media to create a negative perception of the prison department and undermine ongoing reforms, including a new barrack allocation system based on inmates’ names.
“In Parappana Agrahara, a new system of barrack allocation is being introduced, wherein inmates will be assigned barracks based on the alphabetical order of their names. To derail this reform process, these prisoners deliberately shared the footage with the media to bring disrepute and demoralise the top hierarchy of the Prison and Correctional Services Department,” he said.
Authorities have also raised concerns over the availability of mobile network signals in parts of the prison. Officials said the department is in discussions with telecom provider Bharti Airtel to address the issue and restrict signal access in sensitive zones.
Meanwhile, investigations are underway to ascertain whether the video was indeed shot inside the prison or staged elsewhere. Officials maintained that despite attempts by “vested interests” to disrupt reforms, efforts to overhaul prison administration and tighten surveillance will continue.
– Ends
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