The Karnataka government has dismissed two senior prison officers and transferred another after a series of viral videos revealed illegal activities and VIP treatment inside Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison

Jail Superintendent Mageri and Jail ASP Ashok Bhajantri have been dismissed, while Chief Jail Superintendent Suresh has been transferred, officials confirmed on Sunday.

The action came after back-to-back videos surfaced showing inmates singing, dancing, and shouting “party all night,” while another clip allegedly showed high-risk prisoners — including an ISIS recruiter, serial rapist Umesh Reddy, and actor Tarun — using mobile phones, watching a smart TV, and enjoying special privileges.

‘Government will not tolerate this’
Home Minister G. Parameshwara condemned the violations, calling them “unacceptable” and vowed strict action against those responsible.

“If this goes on, then why should we call it a prison?” he remarked, adding that FIRs have been filed and further disciplinary measures will follow.

Rejecting opposition claims that the crackdown was politically motivated, Parameshwara said the government was acting on its “responsibility to uphold discipline and integrity within the system.”

Inquiry and reforms announced
A one-month high-powered inquiry committee has been constituted, led by ADGP Jitendra and comprising IG Sandeep Patil, SP Amarnath Reddy, and SP Rishanth, along with district officials. The committee will review all recent footage and identify lapses that enabled the breaches.

Following a high-level review with senior police and prison officials, Parameshwara outlined a series of reforms, including:

  • A central command centre to monitor live CCTV feeds from all state prisons.
  • Technical audits and installation of stronger signal jammers and scanners.
  • Relocation of prison staff and bifurcation of inmates to prevent collusion.
  • Fast-tracked recruitment of 983 warders and 70 jailers to address manpower shortages.

Parameshwara questioned how mobile phones could enter a high-security jail despite strict entry monitoring.

“How come one person is using a phone and another recording? Two phones cannot enter without collusion,” he said, adding that while one video involving an ISIS inmate appeared two years old, others seemed recent and would be investigated thoroughly.

Political war of words
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi earlier accused the Congress-led government of turning the prison into a “sleeper cell” for extremists, claiming inmates were enjoying “luxurious amenities.”

Parameshwara dismissed the charge, saying that accountability, not politics, was driving the government’s response.

“We will ensure such incidents never recur,” he said.