'Won't Tolerate': Karnataka Home Minister Blames Prison Heads Over Bengaluru Jail Video

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has reacted to the ongoing row over a viral video of Bengaluru jail featuring the inmates partying, dancing, and consuming liquor.

Acknowledging the reports, the minister said that the government has taken the incident seriously and held the prison heads responsible for the same.

“There have been reports of illegal activities inside Prisons in the state. The government has taken this seriously and won’t tolerate this. Respective prison heads are responsible if Ganja, phones, etc., are being smuggled,” he said.

Committee Set Up

The Karnataka Minister also informed that a high powered committee has been set up to check all the prisons across the state.

State Home Minister said the committee would be given specific terms of reference, including identifying lapses in prison management and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the videos that surfaced. The panel will also look into who was in charge at the time the videos were recorded.

As part of the immediate administrative action, Parappana Agrahara Central Prison Superintendent Maygeri has been suspended, along with Assistant Superintendent Ashok Bajantri, who has been suspended with immediate effect.

The government has also decided to transfer Chief Superintendent of Prisons K Suresh, while an IPS officer will now take charge of the Bengaluru Central Jail.

The high-powered committee will include ADGP (Prisons) Hitendra and three other IPS officers.

Preliminary findings suggest that some of the videos date back to 2023, while only a few were reportedly filmed two to three months ago, said the minister.

“We will take reports, and we also have some information; we will take suitable action as required,” said the minister.

What’s The Case?

A video has emerged online showing snacks and liquor bottles inside the jail. The inmates can be seen dancing while others use plates and mugs as musical instruments. Disposable glasses filled with alcohol, along with plates of sliced fruit and fried peanuts, were neatly placed on the floor.

Another video showed four miniature liquor bottles lined up as inmates danced to the rhythm created by banging utensils like drums.

Some inmates can also be seen accessing mobile phones.

The incident has raised concerns over the security arrangements inside the prison.

The incident comes only days after a row erupted over reports that high-risk inmates—including Zuhab Hameed Shakeel Manna, accused of recruiting youth for ISIS, and Umesh Reddy, charged with rape and murder—were allegedly found using mobile phones and Smart TVs, and appeared to be receiving VIP treatment inside the jail.

The revelations sparked widespread concern and raised serious questions about supervision, possible internal involvement, and lapses within one of Karnataka’s most secure prisons.

Director General of Prisons B Dayananda has ordered a detailed investigation and directed officials to verify the footage.