The Dharwad Suburban Police arrested two wardens and an autorickshaw driver on charges of smuggling prohibited articles into the Dharwad Central Jail.
Commissioner of Police N. Shashikumar told reporters in Dharwad on Friday that the Deputy Superintendent of Nirmala Jail had lodged a complaint with the suburban police station on March 8 about cases of smuggling of prohibited articles into the jail.
After launching an investigation, police found that the banned items were being supplied to inmates through the prison canteen and found the involvement of prison staff, he said.
The arrested men were identified as wardens Altaf Dawalasab Shekasanadi and Raju Basanagouda Solabannavar and autorickshaw driver Munir Betageri.
The police commissioner said prohibited items worth ₹75,000, including beedi, cigarettes, gutkha and lighters, were seized along with an autorickshaw used for transportation. The accused ended up in judicial custody.
The police commissioner said that since it is an old jail, there is a possibility of smuggling such items by avoiding surveillance. However, steps will be taken to increase the frequency of prison checks. Further investigations are aimed at finding out the secret route used for such supplies and also whether they were being sold at high prices in the prison.
When asked, the police commissioner said that since the IPL season is about to start, steps are being taken to prevent betting on cricket.
Published – 27 March 2026 19:48 IST
