In response to a series of troubling incidents occurring over the past few months at Hindalaga Central Jail, the police department is poised to take decisive action. City Police Commissioner S.N. Siddaramappa conducted an unannounced visit to the facility to conduct an inspection.
These incidents include a violent altercation between inmates, a threatening call made to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s office by an inmate, and the release of a viral video exposing chaos within the jail by a prisoner named Prashantha Mogaveera, who was formerly incarcerated at Hindalaga Jail. The police department is now fully committed to taking stringent measures in light of these developments.
The initial step involves the replacement of the outdated mobile network jammer at Hindalaga Jail with a more advanced system. The necessary funding for this upgrade has been allocated, and the tendering process is set to commence shortly. Additionally, preparations are underway to install a modern jamming system in Karagraha.
During his visit to Hindalaga Central Jail, City Police Commissioner S.N. Siddaramappa inspected the jail’s operational procedures and held discussions with officials regarding security measures. He emphasized the seriousness with which the issue of prisoners using mobile phones is being treated and reiterated the steps being taken to upgrade the jamming technology.
The jail currently houses 950 inmates, including 30 on death row, and discussions have been held with authorities about the possible transfer of certain prisoners to other facilities. The review of prison security is conducted every two months to ensure the safety and orderliness of the facility. Previous incidents of inmate altercations and mobile phone usage have been investigated by the City Police Commissioner.
One notable incident involved a confrontation between Saikumar, a Mandya-born inmate facing trial for murder, and Shankar Bhajantri, serving a sentence, resulting in an attempted murder when Shankar Bhajantri attempted to stab Saikumar multiple times with a screwdriver.
Furthermore, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s office received a menacing call from an inmate at Hindalaga Jail, prompting Maharashtra Police to file a case against the inmate, who claimed affiliation with gangster Dawood Ibrahim’s gang. Another incident involved an inmate named Jayes alias Tejesh Pujari from Mangalore, who made threats against the minister.
The release of a selfie video by prisoner Prashantha Mogaveera from Hindalaga Jail shed light on the jail’s internal issues and chaos, leading to its widespread circulation on social media. Additionally, two Hindalaga Jail staff members were suspended on charges of neglecting their duties. Given the gravity of these incidents, the police department has taken requisite measures, including the installation of mobile jammers, to address the situation.
