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Bengaluru, Nov 13 (IANS) Karnataka Police on Thursday arrested a BJP leader for making derogatory statements regarding the alleged luxurious treatment given to terrorists and notorious criminals inside the Bengaluru Central Jail.
A series of videos had emerged showing suspected ISIS terrorists, a serial rapist-killer and other notorious inmates having access to mobile phones, televisions and alcohol inside the prison, sparking a major controversy in the state.
The arrested BJP leader has been identified as Chikkamagaluru District BJP Yuva Morcha President Santosh Kotyan. Congress workers had filed a complaint against him, alleging that he had used derogatory and objectionable language against Home Minister G Parameshwara while holding a protest condemning the alleged luxurious treatment of prisoners in Bengaluru Central Jail.
Acting on the complaint, the police arrested the BJP leader. The court has sent him to judicial custody for 15 days.
Speaking at the protest on Wednesday, Santosh Kotyan had said, “Whatever happens in the state, the Home Minister says he doesn’t know, doesn’t know. That’s why God has turned into a daughter.” After this comment, Congress workers expressed anger and filed a complaint.
During the arrest, there was tension for some time on Market Road in Chikkamagaluru city. As the police were taking Santosh Kotyan in the jeep, BJP workers tried to stop them, leading to a verbal altercation and a brief clash between the police and party workers. Condemning the arrest of Santosh, BJP workers staged a protest in front of the city police station. Police have tightened security in the station area.
Earlier, videos showing VIP treatment being given to notorious rapist and serial killer Umesh Reddy, gold smuggling case accused Ranya Rao’s close aide Tarun Raju and suspected ISIS terrorist had gone viral on social media, raising questions on the jail authorities.
The purported video shows notorious serial criminal Umesh Reddy, who is currently lodged in Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Jail. Reddy is reportedly living a comfortable life in jail. The video shows him using two Android phones and a keypad mobile to interact independently.
Reddy – one of India’s most notorious serial rapists – was convicted of raping about 20 women and killing 18 of them between 1996 and 2002. Initially sentenced to death, he later sought clemency claiming mental illness. However, medical examination at NIMHANS hospital revealed that he was completely normal.
According to the alleged video, Telugu actor Tarun Rao, who was arrested in the Ranya Rao gold smuggling case, is reportedly living a luxury lifestyle inside the jail. The video shows that despite being in custody, Tarun has a mobile phone and television in his jail cell.
Even more shocking are the claims that the video also shows foreign and domestic suspected terrorists, including a suspected ISIS member based in Bengaluru Central, using mobile phones to communicate. It has also been alleged that members of Lashkar-e-Taiba and other extremist organizations have access to smartphones inside the high security facility, raising serious questions on national security.
Last Saturday, a series of videos surfaced which caused great embarrassment to the jail authorities. Earlier, the Supreme Court, while probing the fan murder case involving Kannada superstar Darshan, had given a stern warning to take steps to ensure that prisoners in jail do not get any luxury facilities.
–IANS
mka/dpb