The Karnataka government has launched a full-scale investigation after videos surfaced showing high-risk inmates using mobile phones and allegedly enjoying VIP treatment inside Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Jail, one of the state’s most secure prisons. The footage, which has gone viral on social media, has triggered outrage and raised serious questions about security lapses and insider collusion within the jail system.
The Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services ordered an immediate inquiry after the videos were broadcast on Saturday. The footage reportedly shows some of the country’s most dangerous inmates — including an ISIS recruiter and convicted serial rapist-murderer Umesh Reddy — casually operating mobile phones and interacting freely within the jail premises.
Additional Inspector General of Prisons P.V. Anand Reddy confirmed the inquiry, stating, “It is being investigated how these prisoners obtained mobile phones, who brought them inside, when the footage was recorded, who handed over the devices, and how the videos were leaked to the media.” Officials are also trying to determine whether the videos were shot recently or are older recordings that were circulated anew.
One of the clips shows Umesh Reddy, who is serving multiple life sentences, allegedly using a mobile phone. Another video shows a suspected ISIS recruiter appearing to communicate externally, fuelling concerns about potential terror-linked communications from inside the prison. Separate footage features Telugu actor Tarun, accused in a gold smuggling case, apparently conversing casually inside his cell.
The emerging visuals have shaken public trust in prison management. Senior officials suspect internal assistance from prison staff, pointing to possible bribery or negligence that allowed inmates to access restricted devices. Authorities have now initiated legal action against both the inmates and any officers found complicit in smuggling contraband into the facility.
Karnataka’s Home Minister G. Parameshwara called the situation “unacceptable,” vowing stern action. “Such things cannot be tolerated. If this continues, it cannot be called a jail anymore. I will convene a meeting of senior police officials and take this matter very seriously,” he said. Parameshwara confirmed he has sought a detailed report and warned that if the findings are unsatisfactory, a separate high-level committee will be formed to probe deeper.
The minister also stressed that no inmate, including terrorists, should have access to mobile phones and reminded the press that officers have been suspended in the past for similar breaches. “Even if the videos are old, this should never happen again,” he said, adding that B. Dayanand has been tasked to lead the investigation.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah echoed the minister’s remarks, expressing concern over repeated lapses at Parappana Agrahara. “The DG of Prisons was on leave. The Home Minister has called for a high-level meeting tomorrow. Strict action will be taken against whoever is found guilty. We will ensure that such incidents do not recur,” he said.
This is not the first controversy to hit the central prison. Over the past few years, Parappana Agrahara has been repeatedly criticised for corruption, favouritism, and poor supervision. Earlier, videos emerged showing inmates celebrating birthdays with cakes and garlands, while another clip showed a notorious rowdy-sheeter, Gubbachi Seena, cutting a cake while wearing an apple garland.
The latest scandal has once again exposed deep flaws in the prison’s monitoring mechanisms, despite multiple government assurances of reform. Officials have been instructed to tighten surveillance, restrict visitor access, and implement stricter inspections of personnel entering the facility.
As the investigation continues, the focus will remain on identifying the chain of complicity — from guards who may have smuggled phones inside, to senior administrators who failed to enforce oversight. The government has also hinted at an upcoming digital security overhaul in all major prisons across the state to prevent recurrence of such high-profile breaches.
