Bengaluru: Repeated raids at Bengaluru Central Prison have uncovered what prison authorities believe is a well-organised network supplying sim cards purchased in Andhra Pradesh to inmates, allowing them to use smuggled mobile phones despite signal-jamming measures inside the jail at Parappana Agrahara.Director general of police (prisons and correctional services) Alok Kumar said prison officials have seized more than 300 mobile phones from the central prison in the last eight months and a striking pattern emerged during the seizures: almost all sim cards recovered were of Airtel and had been activated in Andhra Pradesh.Kumar said he asked Central Crime Branch, which is investigating the recovery of a mobile phone from convicted former MP Prajwal Revanna’s cell, to probe the larger network and examine the service provider’s role.“After noticing only Airtel sim cards were seized from prisoners in the past, I informed jail staff to find out the reason and fix the flaws. Two weeks ago, we held a meeting but no action was taken. We have been listing the black spots where mobile network is available and informed Airtel,” Kumar told TOI.Another officer said: “The frequency band for sim cards registered in Karnataka is restricted in prison, but the frequency bands of other states are not, so the cards activated in AP are used by prisoners.”The DGP also pointed to possible insider involvement. “There is a case of one constable supplying around 100 mobile phones, which is under investigation. It appears prison staff have connived with prisoners, so mobile phones and sim cards are being supplied and allowed to use in the cells,” he said.A senior prison official said the smartphone seized from Prajwal contained not only social media and OTT applications but also numerous videos.Story – 2Prajwal wears casual clothes in jail, notice issued to superintendentPrajwal Revanna was found wearing civilian clothes instead of the mandatory prison uniform during Central Crime Branch’s surprise raid at Central Prison, prompting authorities to initiate disciplinary action against officials.DGP Alok Kumar said a show-cause notice has been issued to the prison superintendent after the raid revealed Prajwal was not wearing the prescribed convict’s uniform.Under Karnataka Prisons Rules, every convicted prisoner is required to wear the standard prison uniform throughout the period of imprisonment. Officials said Prajwal, who was convicted in the rape case, had allegedly been violating this rule by regularly wearing civilian clothes.“I had received a complaint about Prajwal and issued a memo that all convicted prisoners wear only khadi uniform. Despite that, rules are not being followed, so a show-cause notice has been issued to the superintendent of prisons, seeking an explanation as to how Prajwal was allowed to wear civilian clothes,” Alok Kumar told mediaDeputy inspector general (prisons) Jinendra Khanagavi has been asked to probe not only the uniform violation but also the circumstances under which a mobile phone and sim card allegedly reached Prajwal inside prison.Story – 3Priyank orders digital infrastructure auditHome minister Priyank Kharge Wednesday said the surprise raid at Central Prison was conducted on his directions. The minister said he noticed security loopholes during his visit to the prison three weeks ago, discussed them with senior officials, obtained the CM’s approval and then ordered the raid.“We will continue to take such actions in prisons across the state,” Priyank said, adding he also ordered a digital infrastructure audit to examine why mobile signals ae available inside prison despite jammers.
