The footage which recently went viral, features several well-known inmates, including Telugu actor Tarun, a co-accused in a gold smuggling case involving actress Ranya Rao; Juhad Hameed Shakeel Manna, a man linked to the terror group ISIS.
Screengrab from the video
The Karnataka government has removed top jail officers after a series of videos showed illegal activities and special treatment for inmates inside Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison.
Officials confirmed that Jail Superintendent Mageri and Assistant Superintendent Ashok Bhajantri have been sacked, while Chief Jail Superintendent Suresh has been moved to another post.
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Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara announced that an IPS officer will now take charge of the jail.
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Parappana Agrahara Central Jail, one of the most heavily guarded prisons in Karnataka, has once again found itself in the middle of a storm. A series of shocking videos have surfaced online showing some of the country’s most dangerous and notorious inmates using mobile phones, watching television, and even enjoying what looks like a life of comfort behind bars.
The footage which recently went viral, features several well-known inmates, including Telugu actor Tarun, a co-accused in a gold smuggling case involving actress Ranya Rao; Juhad Hameed Shakeel Manna, a man linked to the terror group ISIS; and Umesh Reddy, a convicted serial rapist and murderer. In the videos, the prisoners appear relaxed and connected using phones and watching TV inside what is supposed to be a high-security environment.
The videos, though undated, have sparked national outrage, exposing deep cracks in the prison’s administration. Political storm and public outcry
As the controversy grew, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assured the public that the government would take the matter seriously. He announced that a high-level meeting has been called to discuss the issue and promised strict action against those responsible.
“The Director General of Prisons was on leave. The Home Minister has called for a meeting tomorrow. Strict action will be taken against whoever is found guilty. We will ensure such incidents do not happen again,” Siddaramaiah said. The Chief Minister’s remarks came amid growing criticism that the state government has failed to control what many are calling a “VIP culture” inside jails.
Home Minister Parmeshwara also voiced his anger saying such violations were completely unacceptable. “If this continues, it cannot be called a jail anymore,” he remarked. Parmeshwara has ordered an immediate detailed report from prison authorities.
This is not the first time that Parappana Agrahara Jail has been caught in controversy. In October, a video of a notorious rowdy-sheeter named Srinivas, also known as Gubbachi Seena, celebrating his birthday inside the prison went viral. The video showed him cutting a cake. The footage was reportedly shot on a mobile phone.
The same prison has been under the scanner for several similar incidents in the past. Last year, a photograph of popular Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, lodged in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case, caused public outrage. The image showed Darshan sitting comfortably inside the jail with a cigarette and a cup of coffee.
The Parappana Agrahara Central Jail houses hundreds of inmates, including murderers, gangsters, and those accused of financial and political crimes.
Prison authorities have confirmed that an internal inquiry has been launched to verify the authenticity of the videos and to identify the officials responsible. “Further action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation,” a senior official told the media.
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