New prison chief sets Dec 31 deadline for Bengaluru central jail clean-up
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Director General of Police (Prisons) Alok Kumar on Monday set December 31 as the deadline for the authorities at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison here to put an end to all illegal activities at the jail and set things right at the facility.
He also stressed the need to meet the staff requirements at the prisons in the state, aimed at improving their overall functioning and the conditions there.
Kumar, who recently took over as DGP Prisons, on Monday visited the Parappana Agrahara central prison here, which was in the news recently, after videos purportedly showed inmates, including notorious criminals and a terror suspect, enjoying preferential treatment inside.
ALSO READ: Brahmavar: Four arrested in Kotathattu murder case
"As there was lots of news and controversies surrounding Parappana Agrahara prison, I visited to inquire about the system, staff, issues faced by prisoners and staff, also security arrangements, among other things. I have got the preliminary idea, and actions have to be initiated stage by stage," Kumar said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said the Karnataka State Industrial Security Force (KSISF), which guards the prison, jail staff and the local police need to work as a team.
"Directions have been issued to put an end to illegal activities at the prison, I have given 15 days' time to set things right. December 31 deadline has been set, to set right the system, and deficiencies if any. If anything happens thereafter, strict action will be taken," he added.
Noting that 151 cases have been registered in 2025 and chargesheets have been filed in 72 cases in connection with activities at prisons, the DGP said the quality of the investigation needs to improve and breach the network responsible for bringing mobiles inside.
"If investigation is conducted, under whose name the sim card was purchased, action needs to be taken against the shop owners if the sim cards are fake. If such action is taken, it will affect those involved in such activities inside the prison. Those involved inside the jail should be taken into custody and investigated. Similar is the case of ganja supply," he said, adding that the network has to be breached to put an end to such things.
Pointing to understaffing of jail warders, Kumar said, against the sanctioned strength of 2,900 warders, actual strength is 1,700, and this is a serious issue.
According to the official, the strength of warders in Parappana Agrahara prison is 280.
ALSO READ: Bantwal police arrest two men for illegal sale of narcotics, seize two vehicles, 810 gm ganja
"These very people have to make arrangements for court VCs, do registrations among other things, which will take about 100 warders. Out of 180 remaining warders in jail, each shift will have 40 warders, and one warder will have to control 100 prisoners, who are criminals, it is not a small thing....I will try to improve the situation."
He promised to take up the issue of staff requirements and service conditions with the government.
Highlighting that actions have been taken against the past illegal activities in the prison, the DGP said six mobiles were seized a couple of days ago, in a bathroom.
"It needs to be ascertained whether prisoners or warders or anyone outside are involved... if investigated in depth, things will be known, and instructions have been given in this regard," he said.
He also met with the Telecommunication Consultants India Limited (TCIL) and discussed the signal blocking technology in prisons, to make it more effective. "10 days' time was given to them to study and get back on how to improve."
Responding to a question on jailed actor Darshan, the DGP said he has not shared any concerns and that he was inquired about his court hearing dates and issues if any.
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.
MP HC sets up judicial commission to probe water contamination in Indore
Indore (PTI): The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday set up a commission of inquiry comprising a former HC judge to probe the issue of water contamination in city's Bhagirathpura, saying the matter requires probe by an independent, credible authority and "urgent judicial scrutiny".
It also directed the commission to submit an interim report after four weeks from the date of commencement of proceedings.
A division bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi constituted the commission while hearing several public interest litigations (PILs) filed simultaneously regarding the deaths of several people in Bhagirathpura due to the consumption of contaminated water.
The HC reserved the order after hearing all the parties during the day, and released it late at night.
The state government on Tuesday told the HC that the deaths of 16 people in Indore's Bhagirathpura area was possibly linked to a month-long outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water.
The government presented an audit report of 23 deaths from the current gastroenteritis epidemic in Bhagirathpura before the bench, suggesting that 16 of these fatalities may have been linked to the outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water.
The report, prepared by a committee of five experts from the city's Government Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, stated that the deaths of four people in Bhagirathpura were unrelated to the outbreak, while no conclusion could be reached regarding the cause of death of three other people in the area.
During the hearing, the high court sought to know from the state government the scientific basis behind its report.
The division bench also expressed surprise at the state government's use of the term "verbal autopsy" in relation to the report, sarcastically stating that it had heard the term for the first time.
The HC expressed concern over the Bhagirathpura case, stating that the situation was "alarming," and noted that cases of people falling ill due to contaminated drinking water have also been reported in Mhow, near Indore.
In its order, the HC said the serious issue concerning contamination of the drinking water supply in Bhagirathpura area allegedly resulted in widespread health hazards to residents, including children and elderly persons.
According to the petitioners and media reports, death toll is about 30 till today, but the report depicts only 16 without any basis or record, it said.
It is averred that sewage mixing, leakage in the pipeline, and failure of civic authorities to maintain potable water standards have led to the outbreak of water-borne diseases. Photographs, medical reports, and complaints submitted to the authorities prima facie indicate a matter requiring urgent judicial scrutiny, the HC said.
"Considering the gravity of the allegation and affecting the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India and the need for an independent fact-finding exercise, the Court is of the opinion that the matter requires investigation by an independent, credible authority," it said.
"Accordingly, we appoint Justice Sushil Kumar Gupta, former judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, a one-man commission of inquiry into the issues relating to water contamination in Bhagirathpura, Indore, and its impact on other areas of the city," the HC added.
As per the order, the commission shall inquire into and submit a report on the cause of contamination -- whether the drinking water supplied to Bhagirathpura was contaminated; and the source and nature of contamination (sewage ingress, industrial discharge, pipeline damage etc).
The panel will also probe the number of actual deaths of affected residents on account of contaminated water; find out the nature of disease reported and adequacy of medical response and preventive measures; suggest immediate steps required to ensure safe drinking water as well as long-term infrastructural and monitoring reforms.
It will also identify and fix responsibility upon the officers and officials found prima facie responsible for the Bhagirathpura water contamination incident, and suggest guidelines for compensation to affected residents, particularly vulnerable sections.
The commission shall have powers of a civil court for the purpose of summoning officials and witnesses; calling up records from the government department, hospitals, laboratories and civic bodies; ordering water quality testing through accredited laboratories; conducting spot inspections.
All state authorities involving district administration, Indore Municipal Corporation, public health engineering department and Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board shall extend full co-operation and provide records as sought by the commission, it said.
The state government shall provide office space, staff, and logistical support to the commission, it said.
During the hearing in the day, the state government also presented a status report to the court in this matter.
According to reports, a total of 454 patients were admitted to local hospitals during the vomiting and diarrhea outbreak, of whom 441 have been discharged after treatment, and 11 are currently hospitalised.
According to officials, due to a leak in the municipal drinking water pipeline in Bhagirathpura, sewage from a toilet was also mixed in the water.
