Reports suggest that Shakeel had been recruiting youths to join the ISIS terrorist organisation. Concerns have also been raised that jail authorities may be providing luxurious facilities to terrorists within the prison.
Retired police reacts to video
Reacting to the disturbing footage, retired police officer SK Umesh said that the VIP treatment and access to mobile phones being provided to inmates at Parappana Agrahara Jail in Bengaluru pose a serious threat to national security. Umesh pointed out that videos of Umesh Reddy using a mobile phone and watching TV, as well as a clip of a Lashkar terrorist using a phone, have recently surfaced, further highlighting the issue.
Umesh suggested that an IPS officer should be appointed as the jail superintendent to improve prison administration. Currently, an Additional Deputy Commissioner (DC) is serving as the jailer. Umesh believes that appointing an IPS officer could bring significant improvements to the system. Despite the Supreme Court’s strict stance in the Darshan case, it is surprising that such VIP facilities continue to exist in many prisons.
Slams prison administration
Umesh added that while it is common for prisoners to receive basic amenities, allowing luxuries such as expensive food from five-star hotels or birthday celebrations inside the prison clearly violates prison regulations. Such practices, he said, undermine the fundamental purpose of imprisonment.
According to Umesh, prisons must be governed strictly by rules. He has urged the prison administration to take strong measures to curb these irregularities.