Parappana Agrahara Jail on brink due to staff shortages, administrative lapses says panel
Bengaluru: Karnataka’s largest prison, Parappana Agrahara Central Jail, is functioning under conditions that pose serious risks to security and governance, with acute staff shortages, outdated surveillance systems and deep administrative lapses, a high-level committee has found.
The findings were submitted on Wednesday to Home Minister G Parameshwara by a panel headed by Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) R Hitendra. The committee was tasked with reviewing central prisons across the state after videos surfaced on social media showing inmates, including high-profile criminals and a terror suspect, allegedly receiving special treatment inside Parappana Agrahara.
According to the report cited by The Indian Express, the Bengaluru prison currently houses 4,834 inmates but has only 571 staff members, with 388 posts lying vacant. This has resulted in a prisoner-to-staff ratio of 1:9, far exceeding the 1:6 benchmark laid down in the Model Prison Manual. When divided across three shifts, the situation becomes more severe, leaving one officer responsible for nearly 30 inmates at any given time.
Similar staffing concerns were noted in other central prisons, including Mysuru, Bellary, Shivamogga and Kalaburagi, though conditions there were marginally better. The panel has called for immediate recruitment to fill vacancies, mandatory rotation of staff every three years followed by a cooling-off period, and regular modern training for prison personnel.
Security vulnerabilities were a major concern in the report. Mobile phone smuggling remains widespread at Parappana Agrahara, largely because existing jammers are incapable of blocking 5G signals. This is despite a Karnataka High Court judgment in 2021 requiring rigorous monitoring over cell phone usage inside jails. To prevent misuse, the committee advised replacing the current system with 5G-compatible jammers, deploying portable devices in blind places, and delegating all controls to the Chief Superintendent.
The report also highlighted weak enforcement and accountability. Between January 2021 and November 15, 2025, as many as 154 FIRs were registered in Bengaluru in connection with illegal activities inside central prisons. None of these cases have progressed beyond the police station stage.
Infrastructure gaps were described as equally alarming. Unlike prisons such as Tihar in Delhi or Chanchalguda in Telangana, Parappana Agrahara lacks a buffer zone, making it vulnerable to smuggling from outside. Boundary walls in several sections are below 20 feet, and watch towers are too low to offer effective oversight. The panel has recommended raising walls to 30 feet, installing anti-throwing nets and solar fencing, and increasing the height of watch towers.
Overcrowding has been compounded by delays in prison construction projects elsewhere in the state. Incomplete barracks at facilities such as Shivamogga and Vijayapura have forced inmates to be accommodated in already congested prisons. The committee noted the importance of moving these projects forward immediately in order to relieve demand on current infrastructure.
Surveillance inside Parappana Agrahara was found to be severely inadequate, where the prison has only 332 CCTV cameras, covering a small fraction of inmates, with barracks largely outside camera range. Toilets remain unmonitored except for limited voice-recording devices. By comparison, Tihar Jail operates thousands of cameras. TIE reported that the panel has recommended continuous monitoring through AI-enabled cameras capable of detecting prohibited activities, body-worn cameras for prison staff, and a central command centre for real-time oversight.
Stressing the gaps in inmate welfare and rehabilitation the report noted that opportunities for vocational training, skill development and structured work are minimal when compared to other large prisons. To aid reintegration after release, the committee proposed setting up of low-cost prison industries, wellness programs like yoga and meditation, mental health counseling, and support structures
Administrative lapses were flagged across multiple areas. First-time offenders are routinely imprisoned alongside habitual criminals, women personnel are not always properly deployed, Prison Visitor Boards meet seldom, and internal intelligence measures are inadequate. The panel recommended clearer segregation of prisoners, better staff allocation, stronger oversight and standardised procedures for lawyer visits, food supplies and medical referrals.
At Parappana Agrahara certain remedial steps are also in place. A Central Prison Command Centre is set to be officially opened on January 21, allowing for round-the-clock monitoring of jails around the state. The facility will monitor around 900 AI-enabled CCTV cameras and will be supplemented by drone surveillance to improve real-time security.
Modelled on existing traffic and police command centres, the new facility is expected to centralise prison monitoring and address long-standing gaps, though the committee has cautioned that technology alone will not be sufficient without urgent structural and administrative reforms.
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Rajnath Singh chairs IGoM meet, urges constant vigil over West Asia crisis
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday emphasised the need for round-the-clock monitoring of the West Asia conflict and called for a calibrated response to deal with any eventuality to ensure that national interests remain protected.
Singh made the comments while chairing a high-level meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) set-up to monitor the situation in West Asia.
The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Power Minister Manohar Lal, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister J P Nadda, Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In view of the "uncertain situation", the defence minister underlined the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and the need to respond in a calibrated manner to deal with any eventuality, an official readout said.
He stressed on the need to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people of the country face the minimum effect of the conflict, it said.
It was the second meeting of the IGoM after it was set up last month.
The IGoM was apprised of the measures being taken by the government in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict, Singh said on social media.
"We also deliberated upon the next steps to be taken by the government to mitigate any adverse impact arising due to the ongoing conflict," he said.
The defence ministry said in the readout said, "In the meeting, the seven empowered groups of secretaries briefed the IGoM on the steps being taken to tackle the situation."
"The IGoM was apprised about measures undertaken by the Ministry of Finance to address concerns arising due to global trade disruptions and provide relief and support to the industry, especially manufacturing, and bolster investor confidence," it said.
It listed measures including notification issued on Wednesday on full customs duty exemption on 40 critical petrochemical products till June 30.
The ministry also mentioned announcement of a special one-time relief measure for eligible units in SEZs to sell manufactured goods in Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional customs duty rates to be effective from April 1 to March 31.
It also noted another notification issued by the Department of Revenue clarifying that the provisions of GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules) will not be invoked in respect of investments made prior to April 1, 2017.
"These measures will reduce cost pressures on downstream sectors including textiles, packaging and pharmaceuticals, facilitate supply stability in the country and provide requisite clarity for investors contemplating investments in India," the readout said.
Defence Minister Singh appreciated the government's decision to impose a 25 per cent cap on the monthly increase in aviation turbine fuel prices for domestic operations, with effect from April 1.
This step will help protect the people from sudden increase in fares, he said.
The government has accorded highest priority to domestic LPG supply, with refinery production enhanced to fully meet consumption requirements, according to the readout.
"The IGoM was informed that there have been no reports of dry-out at LPG distributorships, and delivery of domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders continues as per the normal schedule. The temporary supply concerns arose due to instances of hoarding and black marketing, which triggered panic buying in certain areas," it said.
The ministers were informed that strict enforcement action is being undertaken, with raids being carried out across multiple states and Union territories to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG, the ministry said in the readout.
Action has also been taken against some LPG distributors who engaged in malpractices, it said.
"To support migrant labour and low-consumption households, the government is ensuring adequate availability of 5 kg free trade LPG cylinders, and since March 23, over 4.3 lakh such cylinders have been sold. Special focus is being given to states where demand is higher," it said.
The IGoM was apprised that industrial requirements dependent on commercial LPG are being met, with over 80 per cent of pre-crisis supply levels being maintained to ensure continuity of operations.
"Special meetings have been held with ministries and stakeholders of different industries to understand their demand and meet their needs. Oil PSUs are ensuring continued supply of Auto LPG across the country," the readout noted.
"However, some supply constraints are being faced by private operators due to their procurement challenges, which is why lines are being observed at PSU auto LPG pumps. Wherever the autos are dual feed and can use petrol, they are being encouraged to use petrol," it said.
