Bengaluru: The Parappana Agrahara Police have booked a 38-year-old woman for allegedly attempting to smuggle a mobile phone into the Bengaluru Central Prison by concealing it in her private area, police officials said on Monday.
Incident during prison visit
According to police, the accused has been identified as Laxmi Narasamma, a resident of the city. The incident occurred on January 2, when she visited the Parappana Agrahara Prison after obtaining a visitors’ pass to meet Bharath, a 20-year-old undertrial prisoner (UTP) lodged at the facility.
As per the first information report (FIR), Narasamma entered the prison premises between 12.10 pm and 12.30 pm. During the mandatory security screening conducted before allowing visitors into the jail, a female prison officer noticed suspicious behaviour and subjected her to a thorough physical check.
Mobile phone recovered during frisking
During the inspection, the officer allegedly found an Ace brand feature phone with an Airtel SIM card concealed on Narasamma’s person. Prison authorities immediately detained her and alerted the Parappana Agrahara Police, who confiscated the mobile phone as evidence.
Officials said the recovery once again highlighted the repeated attempts by visitors to breach prison security by smuggling prohibited items, especially mobile phones, which are strictly banned inside correctional facilities.
Case registered under BNS and Prison Act
Based on a complaint filed by prison authorities, police registered a case against Narasamma under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and provisions of the Karnataka Prisons (Amendment) Act. These laws prescribe punishment for unauthorised entry of prohibited items into prison premises and for acts that could compromise jail security.
Police officials said she was questioned regarding the purpose of smuggling the phone and whether it was meant for the undertrial prisoner or for any organised racket operating within or outside the prison.
Repeated concern over phone smuggling
The case comes close on the heels of multiple incidents reported from Parappana Agrahara Prison involving the recovery of mobile phones and other contraband. In recent months, prison authorities and police have intensified checks following intelligence inputs about the misuse of mobile phones by inmates to coordinate illegal activities from inside jail.
Senior officials have reiterated that mobile phones pose a serious security threat, enabling prisoners to intimidate witnesses, influence investigations, or run criminal networks from behind bars.
Investigation under way
Police said further investigation is under way to determine whether Narasamma acted alone or was part of a larger network attempting to supply mobile phones to inmates. Officials are also examining her call records and background to check for possible links with other accused in similar cases.
Conclusion
The latest incident has once again brought attention to the challenges faced by prison authorities in preventing contraband from entering high-security facilities. Police said strict action would be taken against anyone attempting to violate prison rules, and security measures at Parappana Agrahara Prison would continue to be strengthened to curb such offences.