Despite claims to the contrary by Parappana Agrahara prison authorities, it seems that inmates continue to have access to cell phones.
An inmate allegedly made a call using a cell phone to a man, whose identity is not disclosed, and demanded Rs. five lakh. The victim filed a complaint with the Wilson Garden police stating that he had been warned to either send the cash or risk being attacked, or even death. The victim is said to be the husband of a BBMP councillor. However, the police refused to confirm this.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Sandeep Patil said that they do not want to reveal the identity of the victim for safety reasons. The call was traced to the prison and the caller identified as Palani, who is named in 13 cases, including murder and attempt to murder.
“He has been granted bail in some of the cases but after this incident, we are writing to the High Court, requesting not to allow him to be released,” said an investigating officer.
Palani had made the call around 20 days ago. Last week, he was taken out of prison and into police custody for questioning in connection with the call. “We are trying to investigate how he got access to the cell phone,” he said.
Mr. Patil said that they have written to phone companies seeking call records.
History sheetAmong other things, Palani is accused of murdering a Janata Dal (Secular) activist in Ashoknagar police limits in 2013. The activist, Lokesh, was stabbed to death near his house in Anepalya. He was a relative of JD (S) candidate Vasudeva Murthy who contested from Shantinagar Assembly constituency in 2013.
