Bengaluru Central jail inmate orchestrated murder using WhatsApp, states letter by DIG while residents complain of poor mobile network

The inmate’s actions raised concerns about the effectiveness of the measures in place to prevent communication between inmates and the outside world. Besides, the letter stated that the financial transactions linked to the crime also occurred inside the prison. 

In a major security lapse at the Bengaluru Central jail, an inmate allegedly orchestrated a murder by coordinating with the killers using WhatsApp and Instagram on a smuggled cellphone.  

This was revealed in a letter written on March 26 to the Director General (DG) of Prisons and Correctional Services, Malini Krishnamurthy, by the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Prisons (Northern Range), T.P. Shesha.

Though the letter does not mention the identity of the deceased, sources told The Hindu that the victim is Jayaram K., a history-sheeter, who was allegedly hacked to death in Soladevanahalli police station limits on March 4. The police have arrested five persons in connection with the murder.

In the letter, Mr. Shesha claimed that he was informed of the failure of the mobile jammers installed in the prison and security violations by the Chief Judicial Magistrate on March 25 in a telephone conversation. “The magistrate also informed me that an inmate, named Manoj aka Kencha, used WhatsApp and Instagram platforms to coordinate with the killers, indicating a severe breach in jail security protocols,” the DIG claimed in the letter, which The Hindu accessed. 

The inmate’s actions reportedly led to a violent crime, raising serious concerns about the effectiveness of the measures in place to prevent communication between inmates and the outside world. Besides, the letter stated that the financial transactions linked to the crime also occurred inside the prison. 

According to the letter, the Investigation Officer (IO) in the case informed the judge about the security lapse. The letter states that the judge instructed the DIG to bring the same to the notice of higher-ups. Hence, the message was conveyed to the DGP.

A senior prisoner official said that a probe was ordered after the letter reached the office of the DGP.