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Bengaluru, November 10 (IANS) Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Monday ordered a high-level review after a suspected ISIS terrorist Zohaid Manna and other notorious criminals were found using mobile phones inside the high-security Bengaluru Central Jail, warning that “draconian measures” would be taken if such security violations continued.
He said the government was re-evaluating ways to prevent such lapses, noting that previous suspensions and FIRs had proven inadequate, and warned that “draconian measures” would be taken if similar incidents continued in the Bengaluru jail.
Speaking to reporters in the state capital, Parameshwara quoted the National Investigation Agency (NIA)’s comments and said the issue would be taken seriously.
“The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made comments in this regard and I will discuss the matter in the meeting. The NIA has made comments with evidence and we have taken them seriously,” he said.
Parameshwara said the government has taken the matter seriously, which is why a meeting was called with the ADGP (Prisons), senior officials and superintendents of major jails including Belagavi, Shivamogga and Ballari.
God said, “We have received information about many issues.”
“I am reviewing what should be done to stop such lapses. In the past, officials were suspended and FIRs were filed, but that alone does not seem to be enough. If such incidents happen inside prisons, can they even be called prisons? The authorities are empowered under the law to manage these institutions – if they fail in their duties, is that not a lapse?” Karnataka Home Minister asked.
Referring to Bengaluru Central Jail, Parameshwara said it was the state’s main facility and warned that “draconian measures” would be taken if such incidents continued.
“The jail authorities have submitted a reply regarding the video, but I am not satisfied with their explanation,” he said.
He said he has directed the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner to take action on certain developments.
“The opposition now has grounds to question the government and we must take it very seriously – we too have our own responsibilities,” Parameshwara said.
The development stems from a recently surfaced purported video in which Manna, who was extradited from Dubai in 2023 on charges of radicalizing youth for global terror outfit ISIS, is shown using a mobile phone with apparent ease. He was arrested in Dubai in 2020.
In the clip he can be heard saying, “If the password is available, we will be caught,” citing security protocols.
The video has sparked controversy over prison surveillance, as it comes along with other clips that purportedly show serial killer and rapist Umesh Reddy, actress Ranya Rao’s associate Tarun and suspected terrorists using mobile phones, listening to music and watching television inside the prison. These incidents have raised serious concerns about security and surveillance in the state’s prisons.
–IANS
MKA/SNJ/SKP