In light of viral videos purportedly showing inmates at the Bengaluru Central Jail enjoying privileges in their barracks, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said on November 10 that a committee headed by R Hitendra, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) will investigate the irregularities.
Videos circulating on social media platforms purportedly showed inmates having access to private televisions and smartphones. The announcement followed a high-level meeting between the minister and senior police officers in Bengaluru today.
The minister told reporters that though some of the videos and photos circulating online were old, he confirmed the lapses in the prison management, according to an ANI report.
What did Parameshwara say?
Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, G Parameshwara said, “The media reported that there was an illegal incident. A meeting was held to verify the veracity of the matter. There was an investigation into the media reports. There are some videos circulating but they are from 2023, not from yesterday or a day earlier. Some photographs, only one or two, are three to four months old.”
“Creation of a new committee, the High Power Committee. It will review all matters happening in the prisons and submit a comprehensive report. We will give them terms of reference,” he added.
Who will be on the committee?
Members of the committee headed by R Hitendra, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), Inspector General of Police Sandeep Patil and Superintendents of Police Amaranath Reddy and CB Rishyanth will also be on the committee, the minister told reporters, PTI said.
Besides the committee, Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of the respective districts where the main jails in the state are located will serve as co-members of the panel, Parameshwara added.
What measures have been taken so far?
Regarding action against the responsible personnel, Parameshwara further told reporters that:
- Bengaluru Jail Chief Warden K Suresh has been transferred.
- Superintendent Imamsab Myageri and Assistant Superintendent Ashok Bhajantri were suspended.
- An ips officer will be given charge of paraparana agrahara jail (bengaruuuuuuuru).
- Further, a command center will be set up in Bengaluru to connect all the CCTV cameras in the jail.
Political Development Amidst Prison Privileges
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a demonstration against wrongdoing at Bengaluru Central Jail on November 10, a PTI report added. BJP leaders were taken into preventive custody as they marched to besiege Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s office, it said.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
