A life convict serving time at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru allegedly walked free nearly eight years ago by submitting forged documents purportedly issued by the Supreme Court of India — a fraud that went undetected until an anonymous complaint reached the Director General of Prisons in Karnataka. An FIR has now been registered against the convict, identified as Shankar Arumugam, for cheating, forgery, and fabrication of official records.

How the Fraud Unfolded

Shankar Arumugam had been convicted by Fast Track Court-I, Bengaluru, under Section 364A of the Indian Penal Code for kidnapping for ransom and under Section 120B for criminal conspiracy — both sentences ordered to run concurrently. He was serving a life sentence in connection with a 2001 kidnapping-for-ransom case.

On 13 November 2018, Arumugam was released from prison after presenting documents that allegedly showed he had secured relief from the Supreme Court. Prison authorities reportedly processed the paperwork and released him after he paid a fine of ₹10,000 mentioned in the purported court order — a detail that lent the forged documents a veneer of procedural legitimacy.

Anonymous Complaint Triggers Inquiry

The case came to light only recently when the office of Alok Kumar, Director General of Prisons (DGP), received an anonymous letter alleging that Arumugam had fraudulently secured his release using fake judicial documents. An internal inquiry was ordered and assigned to the Deputy Inspector General (South).

As part of the investigation, prison authorities contacted the office of the Assistant Registrar of the Supreme Court in New Delhi for document verification. Officials subsequently confirmed that the order submitted by Arumugam had no official connection with the apex court and was allegedly forged.

What the DGP Said

Alok Kumar, DGP Prisons, confirmed the development, stating: 'An FIR has now been registered at Parappana Agrahara Police Station in connection with the case for cheating and forgery of documents by the life imprisonment convict Shankar Arumugam.'

He added: 'The FIR has been registered nearly eight years later, based on an anonymous letter received at my office. An inquiry in this regard was conducted by the DIG (South). Based on her report, the FIR was registered.'

Questions Over Systemic Lapses

The incident has raised serious questions about procedural safeguards within the Karnataka Prison Department. Investigators are examining whether any insiders facilitated or deliberately overlooked the fraud, and how forged Supreme Court documents passed through official verification channels without detection. Notably, this is a case where a life convict — not an undertrial — allegedly exploited institutional gaps to secure release.

The Parappana Agrahara Police have registered an FIR under sections related to forgery, fabrication and use of forged documents, and cheating. Efforts are currently underway to trace and re-arrest Arumugam. Investigators are also looking into the possible involvement of individuals who may have helped prepare the forged records.

What Happens Next

A manhunt is reportedly underway for Shankar Arumugam, who has been at large since 2018. The inquiry is also expected to scrutinise the prison staff who processed the release documents at the time. Whether disciplinary or criminal action will follow against prison personnel remains to be seen as the investigation continues.