The Mangalore Bar Association has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the high court, alleging that mobile signal jammers at the district jail are causing network disruptions within a radius of nearly 1.5 km.
Association president Raghavendra HV explained that while the devices were installed to stop inmates from using mobile phones, they are also affecting residents, offices, and institutions nearby. He highlighted that around 200–300 lawyers have offices close to the jail, with the court itself located nearby, making communication difficult.
Despite earlier representations to the deputy commissioner and assurances of resolution, no substantial action has been taken. The petition seeks a directive ensuring that jammers function strictly within the prison’s boundaries, balancing security measures with public convenience.
The problem has been raised repeatedly in public forums. Cardiologist Dr. Padmanabh Kamath, in an open letter, stressed that the jammer, intended to curb illegal phone use by inmates, is inadvertently affecting households and workplaces within a kilometre, disrupting connectivity essential for daily activities.
In March, Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath, along with BJP Mangaluru City South leaders, met the district prison superintendent to demand urgent steps to address the public inconvenience caused by the jammers.
The association maintains that while prison security is important, it should not come at the expense of essential communication services for the wider community