Liquor, meat, beedis, mobile phones ‘available at price’ in Mysuru Central Prison: Report
Mysuru: Even as viral videos from Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison allegedly exposed inmates freely using mobile phones and enjoying VIP treatment, equally startling revelations have now emerged from the Mysuru Central Prison — located in Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s home district.
Mysuru’s high-security prison has allegedly turned into a comfort zone for select inmates, offering everything from liquor, meat, cigarettes and beedis to mobile phones — all available at a price, The New Indian Express reported on Tuesday.
Far from functioning as a correctional centre, the facility is said to operate like a recreational hub, where every banned item reportedly has a fixed rate and official protection.
According to Pavan Siddaramu, a member of the Jail Visiting Board, documents, videos and testimonies gathered from inside the prison revealed that every item within the prison comes with a fixed rate chart. “While market prices of vegetables for essentials outside fluctuate, inside the jail nothing comes below Rs 150 a kg. Even liquor bottles and non-vegetarian food are ordered every week for those who can afford it,” TNIE quoted him as saying.
He alleged the involvement of a canteen operator and some personnel from the Karnataka State Industrial Security Force (KSISF), claiming they were directly involved in smuggling banned items into the premises.
“This is in blatant violation of the Prison Manual right under the nose of the chief superintendent of the prison. While Mysuru city police conduct “surprise visits” and file “nil” reports, the reality is very different,” he charged.
He further alleged that proper inspections could lead to the seizure of hundreds of SIM cards and mobile phones during each raid, adding that only the city police commissioner must answer how many such raids are conducted every year.
He also pointed out that the current chief superintendent of Mysuru Central Prison was previously posted at Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Jail, which is now at the centre of a nationwide controversy over videos showing inmates using phones and partying behind bars.
“This transfer pattern shows how the same officials continue to control and replicate the same corrupt system across different prisons. The very idea of correctional facilities is being destroyed, and instead, we are creating a parallel mafia network within jails,” Siddaramu alleged.
The revelations come days after videos showing preferential treatment to inmates at Bengaluru Central Prison in Parappana Agrahara went viral. Following a high-level meeting with senior prison and police officials, Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwara on Monday suspended a Superintendent and an Assistant Superintendent, and transferred the Chief Superintendent.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
India moving towards becoming global economic powerhouse: Kovind
_vb_69.jpeg)
Amritsar (PTI): Former president Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said that with digital transformation, economic reforms and a strong focus on the ease of doing business, India is moving towards becoming a global economic powerhouse.
He was speaking after inaugurating the 19th edition of the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) in Amritsar.
The former president said that this 19th edition of PITEX is being organised at a time when India is recognised as one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the event organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) the former president, while referring to Punjab, said the state is a living example of courage, sacrifice and enterprise.
"The spiritual light of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) inspires peace and humanity across the world. The heritage of Punjab is deep and inspiring," Kovind said, according to a statement issued by the PITEX.
The former president congratulated the PHDCCI for hosting the 19th edition of PITEX and suggested that the chamber should expand PITEX outside Punjab.
He proposed that a similar event should also be held in New Delhi.
