Bengaluru: Five undertrial prisoners accused in the murder of Mangaluru-based Hindutva activist Suhas Shetty allegedly assaulted a jail warder and attempted to strangle him at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison after he reportedly stopped prohibited substances, including ganja, from being brought into the prison.
The incident occurred on September 2 at Annex-1 of the prison, where jail warder Manjunath Haveli was on duty.
Warder allegedly dragged into prison room
According to the complaint, the five accused allegedly confronted Manjunath and forcibly dragged him into the fourth room inside the prison.
They allegedly punched him repeatedly in the face and nose before attempting to strangle him. Other prison personnel who noticed the incident rushed to the spot and intervened, rescuing the warder from the alleged attack.
The complaint states that the assault was linked to an earlier incident involving the interception of prohibited items.
Warder had allegedly stopped prohibited items
On August 22, the accused had allegedly attempted to bring prohibited substances into the prison. Manjunath Haveli reportedly intercepted the items during his duty.
Following the incident, the accused allegedly warned the warder. The subsequent assault on September 2 is now being investigated in connection with the earlier confrontation.
The incident comes at a time when security measures at the prison have been tightened following repeated violations of prison rules.
Five accused named in complaint
The prisoners named in the complaint are Mohammed Mushameer, Abdul Shappan, Mohammed Rizwan, Niyaz and Kalandar. All five are undertrial prisoners facing charges in connection with the murder of Suhas Shetty in Mangaluru.
The alleged assault inside the prison has raised further concerns over the security of personnel and the movement of prohibited substances within the facility.
Police investigation underway
Manjunath Haveli has filed a complaint regarding the alleged assault and attempt to strangle him at Parappana Agrahara Police Station.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the alleged assault, the earlier interception of prohibited items and the threats reportedly issued to the warder.
Further details are awaited as the investigation continues.