Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Bengaluru Prison Official Arrested Amid Forged Release Investigation
Police are investigating how a man serving a life sentence got out of prison in 2018.
They say the order used to release him was fake.
Police allege a prison employee made the fake order.
The wife of the prisoner says a senior prison official, Sri Somashekar, sexually exploited her and claimed he could help her husband get released.
Somashekar has been arrested while police investigate these claims and the release.
Police say he did not cooperate and withheld information.
A court has allowed police to question him further.
The investigation is still underway.
Sri Somashekar, a prison official now serving as a DIG, was arrested in connection with an investigation into a convict’s 2018 release.
The wife of life convict Shankar A. alleged that Somashekar sexually exploited her while promising help securing her husband’s release.
Police are investigating Shankar’s release from Bengaluru Central Prison on November 13, 2018, using what investigators say was a forged Supreme Court order.
Police allege prison employee Srikanth S. forged the order while working in the Convict Prisoner Section.
A court granted police custody of Somashekar for further questioning after police said he had not cooperated and had concealed information.
- Who
- Former Bengaluru Central Prison Chief Superintendent Sri Somashekar was arrested; the allegation was made by the wife of life convict Shankar A.
- What
- Police are investigating an alleged sexual exploitation claim and the alleged use of a forged order to release Shankar from prison.
- When
- Shankar was released on November 13, 2018; the arrest and investigation are reported without a specific date.
- Where
- Bengaluru Central Prison and Parappana Agrahara, Bengaluru.
- Why
- Police are investigating how Shankar was released using a purported Supreme Court order found by investigators to be forged, and the wife's allegation that Somashekar exploited her in exchange for help.
- Arrested official
- Sri Somashekar, now serving as a DIG in the Department of Prisons and Correctional Services
- Allegation
- Shankar A.'s wife alleges Somashekar sexually exploited her while offering help with her husband's release
- Prisoner
- Shankar A., sentenced to life imprisonment in 2004
- Release date
- November 13, 2018
- Order
- A purported Supreme Court order used for the release was found by investigators to be forged
- Other suspect
- Police allege prison employee Srikanth S. forged the order
- Court action
- A court granted police custody of Somashekar for further interrogation