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Bengaluru/New Delhi: A shocking video from Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Jail has gone viral, exposing inmates singing, dancing, and partying through the night. The incident has triggered outrage across Karnataka, raising serious questions about the administration and security of one of the state’s most high-profile prisons.
The latest clips emerged just a day after an earlier video revealed that several high-risk inmates — including an ISIS recruiter, a serial rapist, and a convicted murderer — were enjoying VIP privileges inside the jail. The scandal has snowballed into a major political controversy, prompting the state government to order a high-level probe.
Inmates Partying All Night with Alcohol and Music
According to an India Today report, officials initially claimed that the earlier viral videos were from 2023. However, the newly surfaced footage, allegedly shot just a week ago, shows inmates drinking alcohol, shouting “Party all night,” and using plates and mugs as musical instruments. Authorities have now launched a detailed inquiry into the incident.
VIP Treatment for Convicted Criminals
Earlier, Karnataka’s Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services had initiated an investigation after videos showed high-risk inmates using mobile phones, watching smart TVs, and enjoying special privileges inside the Bengaluru Central Jail.
Additional DGP (Prisons) P.V. Anand Reddy confirmed that a probe is underway to determine how inmates gained access to mobile phones, who smuggled them in, when the footage was recorded, and who leaked it to the media.
Notorious Criminals Among Those Seen in Videos
Among those spotted in the leaked videos is Umesh Reddy — a notorious serial rapist and murderer — allegedly seen using a mobile phone. Another video features an ISIS recruiter, raising serious national security concerns about external communications from inside the prison.
Telugu actor Tarun, accused in a gold smuggling case along with actress Ranya Rao, also appears in the videos. Authorities suspect inside collusion in providing these illegal luxuries, and corrective action has reportedly begun. The Chief Superintendent of the jail has been directed to take strict disciplinary measures against all involved.
CM Siddaramaiah Orders Action
Reacting to the controversy, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, “The Director General of Prisons is currently on leave. The Home Minister has convened a high-level meeting tomorrow. Anyone found guilty will face strict punishment. We will ensure such incidents never happen again.”
DG Returns from Leave, Orders Fresh Investigation
Upon returning from leave, DG (Prisons) B. Dayanand ordered a comprehensive probe into the videos featuring several high-profile inmates, including ISIS recruiter Juhad Hameed Shakeel Manna, serial rapist Umesh Reddy, and actor Tarun Raju — all allegedly seen enjoying unauthorized comforts such as television sets and personal gadgets.
Rules Governing Prison Privileges
According to prison manuals, only inmates categorized under the “Superior Class” — often politicians or economic offenders — can access limited amenities like a cot, table, cooler, mosquito net, and newspaper. They may also occasionally be allowed to order food from outside.
Ordinary prisoners, however, are entitled only to basic necessities such as a mat, blanket, and one set of utensils. Prisoners convicted of heinous crimes like rape or murder are supposed to be held under stricter conditions with minimal privileges.
Who Qualifies as a VIP Prisoner?
Inmates can apply for VIP status based on their social and economic background. Typically, such privileges are extended to former ministers, MPs, MLAs, judges, or senior government officials. This system, often exploited by influential convicts, effectively allows them to convert jail cells into comfort zones.
Court Directions on Phone Usage
Recently, the Delhi High Court directed the Director General (Prisons) to draft a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) regarding the use of mobile phones by inmates in open prisons. Justice Sanjeev Narula stated that prisoners may be allowed to keep phones under strict rules and monitoring, or a secure system should be established for depositing and retrieving devices when needed.
The Bengaluru Central Jail scandal has exposed deep flaws in the prison management system and raised a burning question: Are India’s jails turning into luxury lounges for the powerful and the dangerous?
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