Terror suspects, notorious criminals caught using mobile phones in Bengaluru’s high-security jail; CM assures action
Bangalore’s Parappana Agrahara Central Jail has come under fire after viral videos showed high‑risk inmates enjoying phones, TVs and other comforts almost as if they were at home. The clips included footage of notorious rapist and serial killer Umesh Reddy, a suspected terrorist, and a gold‑smuggling suspect, raising alarm that prison security protocols are being ignored.
The videos surfaced on social media and sparked a swift reaction. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he was unaware of the situation but promised a thorough investigation and action to hold those responsible accountable. He emphasized that the prison is a high‑security facility, not a luxury lodge.
Umesh Reddy was convicted of raping 20 women and killing 18 between 1996 and 2022. The Supreme Court had earlier reduced his death sentence to 30 years in prison. According to the footage, Reddy was seen using two Android phones and a keypad phone inside the jail—an unmistakable breach of prison rules.
The same videos allegedly feature Telugu actor‑turned‑criminal Tarun Raju, who was arrested in connection with the Ranya Rao gold‑smuggling case. Raju is accused of enjoying a “bindaas lifestyle” inside his cell, complete with a mobile phone and a television. Investigators say Raju orchestrated a gold‑smuggling network that supplied gold to Ranya Rao in Dubai. Ranya Rao, the daughter of a senior IPS officer, is alleged to have used her family’s influence and a police security vehicle to aid the illegal operations.
Perhaps the most serious concern is the appearance of suspected Lashkar‑e‑Taiba members and other extremist fighters using smartphones in the jail. Officials warn that such communications could pose a national security threat.
This scandal follows a Supreme Court directive that recently reinforced strict controls on luxury provisions for inmates, a move prompted by the fan‑murder case involving Kannada superstar Darshan. Prison officials now face mounting pressure to tighten security, eliminate corruption and restore public confidence in Bangalore’s jail system.
Source: ianslive
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