Parrappana Agrahara Central Jail, Bengaluru. | Photo credit: File photo
Hours before Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara ordered a crackdown on prison officials following a high-level meeting on the alleged treatment of VIPs at Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Jail, prison authorities investigating one of the leaked videos tracked down four inmates dancing under the influence of intoxicants in a barracks.
After a preliminary investigation, jail officials identified four undertrials — Karthik alias Chitte, Dhananjaya, Manjunatha and Charan Rao — as those who were dancing and partying in Room No. 7 of Barrack 8.
On November 9, a video of inmates dancing to loud music, banging plastic cans and plates as makeshift drums and allegedly consuming alcohol along with snacks went viral on social media.
Based on a complaint filed by Imamsab Myageri, a now-suspended jail official accused of negligence and dereliction of duty, the Parappana Agrahara police registered an FIR against four inmates under various sections of the Karnataka Prisons Act and Section 323 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act, which deals with fraudulent property or fraud.
In his complaint, Mr Myageri said the video not only shows inmates dancing and creating ruckus, but also shows the presence of prohibited items inside the prison. The footage, believed to have been filmed on a smuggled mobile phone, has been leaked to the media. The complainant demanded a detailed investigation to find out how the phone and contraband got into the prison, who shot the video and how it was circulated.
During a review meeting with senior officials on 10 November, the Home Secretary took exception to repeated incidents of indiscipline and laxity among prison staff. He ordered the suspension of two officials and transferred the Superintendent of the Central Jail, saying such incidents would not be tolerated.
“Prison is supposed to be a correctional institution, not a place for parties and privileges,” said Dr. Parameshwara and warned that strict action would be taken against those responsible.
CCB’s technical team is investigating the source of the leaked videos. Police are set to take the four accused in the case into custody on a body warrant as part of the investigation.
Published – 11 Nov 2025 15:07 IST
