In June this year, 29-year-old Nayan Soren was electrocuted while switching on a water pump in Venkatadri Layout, adjacent to the Central Prison Complex in Parappana Agrahara. Critical emergency calls were hampered by mobile signal jammers installed at the prison, leading to delays in medical aid and his subsequent death. This sparked protests from local residents against the Tower-Harmonics Call Blocking System (T-HCBS), installed in March 2024 to prevent inmates from using mobile phones. Despite multiple meetings between residents, prison officials, telecom service providers (TSPs), and the Department of Telecommunication (DoT), no resolution has been reached.
In a related incident, a prospective homebuyer canceled a property deal in the area due to severe mobile network issues, while media reports surfaced about prison inmates, including actor Darshan, using mobile phones and gaining preferential treatment. This led to a raid by over 100 Central Crime Branch (CCB) officers, who, despite finding no contraband, discovered via CCTV footage that prison officials had hidden banned items after being tipped off about the raid. As a result, several prison officials were suspended and transferred, and a show-cause notice was issued to the Director General of Police, Prisons, and Correctional Services.
The T-HCBS’s inefficacy has become a point of contention between the Department of Prisons and Correctional Services and the DoT. Despite test checks confirming the system’s functionality, contraband mobile usage persists within the prison.
Furthermore, the viral image and video of Darshan mingling with notorious inmates raised alarms over security lapses and prisoner treatment. Historical issues of mingling between convicts and undertrials have led to the formation of terror modules, as seen in previous cases involving notorious criminals.
In response to these issues, state authorities are reviewing prison protocols and plan to install AI-powered CCTV cameras. However, skepticism remains about the effectiveness of these measures given the deep-rooted corruption and overcrowding in the prison, which houses nearly 5,000 inmates in a facility meant for 2,000. This complex system underscores the challenging dynamics of maintaining order and security within the prison.
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/the-prison-paradox/article68604687.ece
Category : Karnataka
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