Ramalinga Reddy homes' in on prison

Bengaluru: Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy visited Bengaluru Central Prison at Parappana Agrahara for the first time after taking charge as the Home Minister. He reportedly directed the prison department officials that he would not tolerate any irregularities in jail and strict measures should be taken against those inmates who operate and manage criminal activities outside.

After the visit, Mr Reddy told the media that he had instructed the prison department officials to curb smuggling of narcotic substances and mobile phones into the jail. “I have told them to take measures to ensure that inmates do not get mobile phones and drug substances. We will install jammers that cut signals of 4G mobile networks, as inmates using such phones have come to our notice. We will upgrade the jammers.”

Asked about allegations that VIP treatment is being meted out to select inmates, he said, “I have visited both men and women barracks, including where Sasikala, Ilavarasi and Karimlal Telgi, are staying. No extra facility is provided to anyone. They are being treated as any other inmate, as per the prison rules.”

Further, the minister said the inmates were given quality food and they had no complaints. “Their demand was to release those who have completed 10 years of sentence. The department is preparing a list of those who are eligible for early release,” he said, adding that the present jail hospital has capacity to accommodate 100 inpatients and thus the jail officials have been directed to chalk out a plan and send a proposal with estimation of cost to the government.