The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has uncovered a shocking criminal network inside Bengaluru Central Prison, arresting psychiatrist Dr Nagaraj and two accomplices for supplying mobile phones to inmates. Investigators allege Dr Nagaraj earned nearly ₹1 crore by smuggling and selling phones to notorious criminals who coordinated kidnappings, murders, extortion, and terror plans from jail.
Nagaraj was first flagged when he handed devices to Lashkar-e-Taiba operative T Naseer, serving a life sentence. Naseer and his network used the phones to escalate radicalisation within the prison. A senior officer said insider involvement drastically increased smuggling success, transforming it into a thriving underground trade.
Cheap Android phones were resold for over ₹30,000, while those unable to buy outright could rent them for ₹500 per handset and SIM. Over 100 phones were likely distributed.
The NIA traced ₹70 lakh in transactions to Pallavi alias Pavithra, a nurse linked to Nagaraj. She claimed the funds belonged to him. Exploiting lax security, Nagaraj bypassed frisking, sneaking phones past jammers.
Police are hunting Satish Gowda, a telecom employee accused of supplying SIM cards. Also arrested were Chand Pasha, an assistant sub-inspector who protected Naseer, and Anees Fathima, mother of an absconding radicalisation suspect, accused of routing funds.
During court proceedings, prosecutors revealed these phones directly supported Lashkar’s operations. Prison authorities have since tightened security and upgraded jamming equipment.
Last month, a woman counsellor was caught hiding a phone in her body to smuggle it to an undertrial.