Another mobile phone found inside Parappana Agrahara prison; fourth FIR filed

Four days after a series of raids led to the recovery of over 50 mobile phones and an equal number of SIM cards, officials at the Central Prison have found yet another mobile phone with a SIM card concealed inside the washroom of Barrack C, Tower 2.

The device was discovered on Sunday during surprise inspections. Following the recovery, Paramesh H.A., Superintendent of the Central Prison, filed a complaint with the jurisdictional police seeking a detailed investigation. This is the fourth FIR registered in connection with the recent seizures.

The police have now begun analysing the confiscated mobile phones to determine whether they were used for anti-social activities. Investigators are also probing how such a large number of phones, SIM cards, chargers, earphones, and cash were smuggled into the high-security facility despite multiple layers of checks.

“It is still a mystery how these phones are being used despite jammers and round-the-clock physical and electronic surveillance,” a police officer said.

Sources in the Prisons Department suspect a deep-rooted nexus between certain prison staff and inmates, which may have facilitated the smuggling of the contraband. The police also believe a group of inmates may be running an illicit mobile phone racket inside the prison, selling devices at exorbitant rates to other inmates.

Apart from the Central Prison, similar surprise inspections are being carried out at the other district prisons where the officials have recovered and seized many mobile phones and other banned items.