Published on: Nov 09, 2025

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has ordered a detailed inquiry into Bengaluru Central Prison after videos surfaced on social media showing inmates allegedly using mobile phones, watching television, and enjoying special privileges inside the facility. The videos, which went viral over the weekend, prompted immediate action from the state government, with the minister warning that such lapses would not be tolerated.

According to officials, one of the clips purportedly showed Umesh Reddy, a convicted rapist facing multiple charges of sexual offences, using an Android smartphone while a television set was installed in his barrack. Additional videos reportedly depicted prisoners engaging in recreational activities, including partying, dancing, and consuming liquor and non-vegetarian food—activities strictly prohibited in jail premises.

Speaking to the media, Parameshwara expressed strong disapproval of the alleged incidents. “I have asked the ADGP (Prisons) to give me a report. If the report is not satisfactory, I will set up a separate committee and take corrective measures. I will not tolerate this nonsense. Enough is enough, because these things should not happen again,” he said. The minister made it clear that officials responsible for lapses would face stringent action, irrespective of rank or seniority.

The Home Minister emphasised that excuses such as staff shortages were unacceptable. “They often say there is a shortage of staff, but the existing staff should at least perform their duties well. That is not an excuse. If they provide television, mobile phones, and other things on the pretext of a lack of staff, then why should it be called a jail?” he remarked, underlining the need for accountability and strict adherence to prison regulations.

Prison authorities confirmed that an internal inquiry had been launched on Saturday to verify the authenticity of the videos and identify those responsible for facilitating the unauthorised access to electronic gadgets and other privileges. Additional Director General of Police (Prisons) B Dayananda has been tasked with preparing a detailed report for the Home Minister. Parameshwara indicated that if the report fails to address the issues satisfactorily, he will convene a separate oversight committee to ensure corrective action.

The minister also pointed to ongoing measures aimed at improving security and monitoring in state prisons. He noted that the government had approved the installation of CCTV cameras and signal jammers to prevent contraband mobile phones from being used within jail premises. “It has been implemented in some places. I am going to hold a meeting to take it seriously. We had suspended a few officers when such incidents took place in Belagavi and Mangaluru. I told ADGP Dayananda that someone must be held accountable for this. I have asked him to initiate action against the officials involved,” he said.

Highlighting the broader implications of such lapses, Parameshwara stated that allowing prisoners access to mobile phones or other privileges compromises the very purpose of incarceration. “Not just terrorists, phones or any other facilities should not be in anyone’s hand inside the jail. No one will call it a jail then,” he remarked, reiterating the need for stringent enforcement of rules and regulations.

The incident has raised questions about security protocols and oversight mechanisms in Bengaluru Central Prison, which houses high-profile inmates alongside other convicts. Legal experts and civil society groups have expressed concern over the alleged lapses, calling for stricter monitoring, regular audits, and accountability measures to prevent recurrence.

Social media users widely circulated the videos, sparking outrage among citizens and prompting calls for immediate action. Some of the clips appeared to show not just Umesh Reddy but other inmates in various areas of the prison enjoying luxuries not permitted by law, raising questions about the complicity of prison staff and the effectiveness of existing surveillance systems.

This is not the first time Karnataka prisons have been under scrutiny. Past incidents in Belagavi and Mangaluru led to officer suspensions, indicating a pattern of lapses that the state administration now appears determined to address. Parameshwara’s response suggests a zero-tolerance approach toward breaches of prison discipline, signalling potential reforms and stricter enforcement in the near future.

As the inquiry proceeds, the state government has pledged transparency and swift action, aiming to restore public confidence in the prison system. The findings of the investigation are expected to determine whether disciplinary action, including suspension or transfer of officials, will be recommended, and whether broader systemic reforms will be necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future.

In the meantime, Bengaluru Central Prison authorities are reviewing their protocols, ensuring that high-profile inmates do not continue to receive preferential treatment, and reinforcing measures to prevent unauthorised access to electronic devices. The Home Minister has made it clear that all steps will be taken to ensure that such lapses are not repeated, with accountability extending to every level of prison administration.

The viral videos have sparked a broader debate about prison conditions in India, raising questions about staff shortages, monitoring, and the enforcement of rules in high-security facilities. Civil society advocates have called for immediate implementation of technological solutions such as jammers, CCTV surveillance, and stricter internal inspections to curb corruption and ensure that prisons function according to the law.

With the Home Minister personally overseeing the probe, the government appears determined to send a strong message that breaches of discipline in correctional facilities will be addressed promptly and decisively, maintaining the integrity of the penal system and the safety of both inmates and the general public.

---