'Enough is enough, will not tolerate this': G Parameshwara seeks report on 'VIP' treatment for prisoners, promises probe

Bengaluru: Home Minister G Parameshwara on Sunday sought a report from the top prison official and promised strict action against jail officials after videos surfaced showing hardened criminals enjoying 'VIP' treatment in Bengaluru Central Prison, with access to mobile phones and LED televisions inside their barracks. 

Speaking to reporters, Parameshwara said he had convened a meeting of senior police officers on Monday and sought a detailed report from Additional Director General of Police (Prisons) B Dayananda. 

"I have spoken to Dayananda who was on leave. But I have asked him to submit a detailed report — whoever is responsible must face immediate action. I will not tolerate this nonsense. Enough is enough". 

He promised to form a committee to look into security lapses in prisons as such incidents are repeating inside the barracks. Viral video footage Saturday showed more than 13 smartphones kept next to a newspaper inside a barrack and two tabletop LED TVs playing an item song. 

Media reports suggested some prisoners, including serial rape accused Umesh Reddy, gold smuggling suspect Tarun Raj and terrorism suspect Juhad Hameed Shakeel using mobile phones inside their barracks. 

A senior officer, who visited the jail after the video emerged, stated in his report to the ADGP that the footage was from 2002.

However, the video purportedly shows the prisoners holding a four-day-old newspaper and a November page in the calendar. 

A search of multiple barracks on Saturday night found no illegal items. Officials suspect information about the search was leaked in advance. 

In early October, a head warder and a warder were suspended, while an assistant superintendent, two jailers and two assistant jailers faced departmental inquiry after a video showed history-sheeter Srinivasa alias Gubbachhi Seena celebrating his birthday with cake and garlands inside the prison on September 9. 

Several surprise inspections in the past by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) and the city police have led to the seizure of contraband, including mobile phones.

In some cases, prison and medical staff were caught trying to smuggle in prohibited items, indicating a possible nexus between the inmates and the officials. 

Case to be filed

Officials have decided to file a case at the Parappana Agrahara police station to launch an investigation into who made the videos and who leaked them. 

One more video shows liquor party

In another video that emerged on Sunday prisoners are hosting a drinks party holding a full-blown bash — beating drums dancing and even enjoying plates of kebabs inside their barracks. Four liquor bottles were also shown kept near the window. However officials are tightlipped about whether the footage is from the Bengaluru prison or some other facility. 

Meeting called today

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said that the Home Minister has called a meeting of officials in connection with the ‘VIP’ treatment for prisoners reports DHNS from Vijayanagara. Speaking to reporters in Harapanahalli on Sunday the chief minister said that instructions have been given to initiate action against persons found guilty.