Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jan 26: A video which shows the Parappana Agrahara central prison staff here providing luxury services to rowdies lodged there against money has become viral. The video appears to prove allegations about the prisoners spending comfortable life inside the jail against payment.

A video clip in which a notorious rowdy was being provided with special facilities has surfaced. This puts a question mark on the functioning of the jail staff. This video is about a year old. It shows facilities being extended to JCB Narayana, a rowdy. In a room of a barrack where Narayana was lodged was provided with cot, fan, television set etc. The jail staff also had provided him with a mosquito bat to eliminate mosquitoes, the video has shown.

When the jail staff stand approach the door to collect money, the conversation in which the rowdy is heard saying to a person named Basanna that he was paying Rs 3,000 and asking the staff to return Rs 900 after retaining Rs 2,100, can be heard. The jail staff provided food to JCB Narayana from outside. Narayana has since been released from the prison but the video showcases the wrongdoings inside the said central prison.

It is said that the jail staff collect money from people coming to meet jailed rowdies. The canteen vehicles which arrive at the jail in the morning provides mobile phones, cigarettes, liquor and other things. There are allegations that some of the prisoners order chicken, mutton etc. The prison at Parappana Agrahara has three mobile jammers but the prisoners use mobile phones as well.

Director general of police (prison), Alok Mohan, said that the home minister instructed to hold an investigation and promised to conduct a high level probe. He also said that roles of people whose names are heard in the video will be looked into.

Home minister Araga Jnanendra has promised to undertake disciplinary action against the erring officials and staff.