Videos of prisoners, including serial rapist Umesh Reddy and a terror case accused, using mobile phones inside Bengaluru’s Central Prison have surfaced

BENGALURU: Central Prison is once again in the news for alleged irregularities. Videos of prisoners, including serial rapist Umesh Reddy and a terror case accused, using mobile phones inside the jail surfaced Saturday, prompting authorities to launch an inquiry.Chief minister Siddaramaiah said he will seek a report and initiate action those responsible for the security lapse.The six videos — three of which were recorded in 2023 — show inmates freely using phones and watching television. In one of the clips, Umesh Reddy is seen sitting beside a TV set and talking to someone using a smartphone, apparently in his prison cell. In another clip, IS handler Juhad Hamid Shakil Manna is seen using a smartphone and basic handset along with other prisoners. Recently, Central Prison was in the news for allowing Sandalwood actor Darshan Thoogudeepa to use mobile phones, sip tea and smoke cigarettes on the lawn.Sources said gold smuggling case accused Ranya Rao’s friend Tarun Raju was seen using a mobile phone in a video recorded this year.A senior officer said it is a major security lapse since a terror accused using a mobile phone could result in radicalising other prisoners and also connecting to the handlers of banned outfits.Umesh Reddy has been convicted in 20 rape and murder cases between 1996 and 2022. Additional director general of police (prisons) B Dayananda ordered an inquiry to find out who provided phones to the prisoners, the role of officials involved in the racket and those who made the videos and leaked them. Additional inspector general of police (prisons) PV Anand Reddy visited the jail premises.