Probe on into ‘criminal elements’ participating in farewell function at Ernakulam district jail

The authorities at the Ernakulam district jail were in a spot after a social media reel emerged of people with alleged criminal antecedents taking part in a farewell function of an officer and taking photographs on the jail premises.

The State Special Branch has launched a preliminary inquiry into the alleged incident that took place on May 31 during the retirement of a jail welfare officer. The reel set to boisterous background music shows the alleged criminal elements reaching the jail in their vehicles, presenting a bouquet to the retiring officer, partaking in the feast and then clicking photos.

According to sources, there were eight guests from outside, and it is not clear how many of them had a criminal background. Since the mobile phones of all the outside guests were collected by the jail authorities on their arrival, it has left officials wondering how visuals from inside the jail premises got into the reel. Whether the videos were captured using the phone of the retired officer or his son was being verified, sources said.

Published - June 05, 2025 07:36 pm IST