Mobile phones, SIM cards seized during inspections at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison

Prison officials at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison recently recovered four mobile phones, two SIM cards, and a memory card during separate inspections conducted over two days, prompting legal action under the Karnataka Prisons (Amendment) Act.

According to a complaint submitted by Prison Superintendent B.R. Kotesh, the first recovery was made on the night of June 11 between 9.15 p.m. and 9.20 p.m. During surveillance near Barrack No. 4 of Tower-1 Division, prison staff allegedly noticed undertrial prisoner Keshavaraju behaving suspiciously. When officials approached him, he allegedly attempted to flee. A search of the area led to the recovery of a mobile phone without a SIM card and an 8 GB memory card.

In a second operation conducted on June 12 between 11.30 a.m. and 11.55 a.m., prison officials observed undertrial prisoner Vijaykumar acting suspiciously near the barracks. A search conducted by members of the Special Inspection Team resulted in the seizure of two mobile phones from a toilet area where the devices had allegedly been concealed.

Later the same day, between 2.15 p.m. and 2.25 p.m., officials conducting routine patrols in Security Section-2 discovered another mobile phone abandoned in an open area near Room No. 5.

In total, authorities seized four mobile phones, two SIM cards, and one memory card. As mobile phones and related communication devices are prohibited on prison premises, officials suspect the items were smuggled into the jail with the assistance of unidentified individuals.

Prison authorities have sought the registration of a case under Section 42 of the Karnataka Prisons (Amendment) Act, 2022, along with other relevant provisions. Investigators will also examine the role of inmates and any external persons who may have facilitated the entry and use of the prohibited items within the prison.