Islamic State terrorist, rapist given access to mobile phones and television in Bengaluru prison

Bengaluru (Karnataka) – Recently, a video has gone viral on social media, showing inmates—including an Islamic State terrorist, convicts in rape cases, and several other prisoners—at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, one of Karnataka’s largest jails, having access to mobile phones, televisions, and other special facilities.

1. It has come to light that Islamic State terrorist Shakeel, convicted rapist Umesh Reddy, and actor Tarun Kondaraju, accused in a gold smuggling case and grandson of a well-known hotelier, were among those using these facilities. The prison administration is facing flak as a result.

2. One video shows 13 mobile phones, earphones, and chargers. A hot box was also found inside the cell of the rapist, Umesh Reddy.

3. Earlier, it was alleged that actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, imprisoned for a murder case, and his associates Wilson Garden Nagaraj and Srinivas alias Gubbachchi Seena, were also given special facilities. Photos and videos related to this had gone viral, and the Supreme Court had slammed the authorities. Now, with new incidents surfacing, serious questions are being raised about the prison administration.

4. Terrorist Shakeel Manna was deported from Saudi Arabia in 2020 and arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Since then, he has been lodged in the high-security cell of Parappana Agrahara prison. Umesh Reddy, sentenced for the rape and murder of women, has been in jail for decades. Actor Tarun Kondaraju was arrested in March for illegal gold smuggling. All three are lodged in the same high-security block.

5. The videos show these inmates moving around freely with other prisoners. Their video calls to family and friends have also surfaced.

6. To confirm the authenticity of the videos showing the luxurious lifestyle of inmates, one of the videos features that day’s newspaper, an English daily from 2022. Several other recently recorded videos have also surfaced. Authorities are investigating who leaked the videos.

Additional Director General of Police orders an enquiry

After the videos became public, Additional Director General of Police (Prisons & Correctional Services) B. Dayanand demanded an explanation from prison authorities. He has instructed DIG (Southern Range) Divyashree to conduct an enquiry and submit a report.

Will conduct an enquiry and take strict action: Home Minister Parameshwara

“We are taking this matter seriously. I have sought a report from ADGP Dayanand. I will personally convene a meeting with the officials. If the report is unsatisfactory, we will order a high-level enquiry and form a committee. The video is old, and earlier, too, an old video went viral. Regardless, such incidents should never occur. We will take strict action,” Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara told reporters.

Editorial Perspectives

• Prison officials who allow such facilities for inmates must be punished.
• If criminals serving sentences receive such comforts, how can it be called a prison? No wonder criminals resume unlawful activities even after release!