Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has warned of strict disciplinary action against jail officials following shocking security lapses at Bengaluru Central Jail, after videos surfaced showing high-profile inmates using mobile phones and watching television inside their cells.
The viral clips revealed that Zuhaib Hameed Shakeel Manna, an alleged ISIS recruiter, and Umesh Reddy, a convicted serial rapist and killer, had access to phones, tea, and entertainment behind bars — triggering a political and administrative uproar.
Fuming over the incident, the Home Minister said he had demanded an immediate report from Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) B Dayananda, who heads the Prisons Department.
“I will not tolerate this nonsense. Enough is enough. This kind of incident shouldn’t happen. If they are getting TV and mobile inside, then what is the jail for?” Parameshwara said.
“We have approved CCTVs and jammers—it must be implemented effectively,” he added.
He stressed that excuses about staff shortages would not be accepted: “At least the existing staff should do proper work. That is not an excuse.”
Videos Show ISIS Recruiter, Serial Killer Enjoying Privileges
In one of the viral videos, Zuhaib Hameed Shakeel Manna was seen scrolling on a smartphone while sipping tea, with a television or radio playing in the background. According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Manna had allegedly raised funds, radicalized youth, and sent recruits to Syria via Turkey to join ISIS.
ALSO READ: 20 slaps in 25 seconds: Woman’s robbery bid by throwing chilli powder at shopkeeper backfires | Watch
Another video showed Umesh Reddy, convicted in 18 rape and murder cases, using two Android phones and a keypad mobile. A TV set was visible in his barracks. In 2022, Reddy’s death sentence was commuted to 30 years’ imprisonment by the Supreme Court, after his plea citing mental illness — though he was later declared medically fit.
Pictures of another inmate, Tarun Raju, surfaced showing him using a phone and cooking inside the jail. Raju was arrested in the Ranya Rao gold smuggling case and was identified as the alleged mastermind of a network supplying gold to Dubai, reportedly linked to the daughter of an IPS officer.
ADGP Dayananda Under Pressure
The government had recently appointed B Dayananda as the head of prisons following the retirement of DGP Malini Krishnamoorthy. Dayananda, previously suspended as Bengaluru Police Commissioner after the July 4 stampede during the RCB victory rally, was reportedly on leave when the videos surfaced.
“I have told him that this is happening repeatedly; whoever is responsible must face immediate action,” Parameshwara said.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assured that the state government would take necessary action. The Prisons Department has also opened an internal inquiry into the lapses.
Parameshwara admitted such incidents have occurred before, stressing that leniency will not be tolerated.
“If you are giving mobile phones and TVs to inmates, then it can’t be called a jail anymore,” he remarked.
