What Led to the Suspension of Five Kadapa Jail Officials?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Five officials suspended due to mobile phone discovery.
- Investigation launched to assess security breaches.
- Jakir, a notorious smuggler, was implicated.
- Concerns over prison security protocols raised.
- Potential involvement of jail staff in smuggling operations.
Vijayawada, July 22 (NationPress) Five officials from the Kadapa Central Jail in Andhra Pradesh have faced suspension following the recovery of mobile phones from several remand prisoners.
The suspended personnel include Jailor Appa Rao, Deputy Superintendent Kamalakar, and three jail wardens, marking a significant breach in security protocols.
Anjani Kumar, the Director General of Prisons, issued the suspension orders.
Among the findings, ten mobile phones were discovered in possession of the infamous red sander smuggler Jakir, who has been incarcerated in the Kadapa Central Jail for over four months. There are serious allegations suggesting that jail staff facilitated the provision of these phones to the inmate.
This alarming incident has raised substantial questions regarding the effectiveness of prison security measures.
In light of this event, the DG of Prisons initiated an investigation.
Ravi Kiran, the DIG of Rajahmundry Central Jail, conducted an investigation on July 16, overseeing the probe for four days.
The DIG has interrogated both inmates and jail staff to determine how the mobile devices infiltrated this high-security facility.
Based on the DIG's preliminary report, the Director General of Prisons ordered the suspension of the five officials.
Initial findings indicated that Jakir maintained contact with outside accomplices using the phones, raising concerns that he continued to orchestrate smuggling operations from behind bars.
The recovered mobile phones, belonging to a prisoner detained under the Preventive Detention Act, were submitted to the RIMS Police Station.
Following the DIG's directions, call records from the devices were analyzed to identify those whom the prisoners had communicated with.
During the interviews, some jail staff claimed that the phones were tossed over the compound wall from outside. However, the DIG dismissed this theory in favor of investigating possible collusion from within the jail.