4 days ago
Mobiles, Cash Seized From American Center Attack Convict’s Kolkata Cell
Officials searched the prison cell of Aftab Ahmed Ansari in Kolkata.
They found three mobile phones, internet equipment and ₹31,000 in cash.
The phones were reportedly hidden in his clothes and bedding.
Officials also found routers, a Wi-Fi device, a pen drive and an earphone.
The search happened after intelligence suggested that Ansari was using a phone and the internet in prison.
Ansari is serving a life sentence for the 2002 attack on the American Center.
Police are investigating how the items got into the prison.
They are also checking whether Ansari used the phones to contact people outside India, including possible contacts in Pakistan.
Officials seized three mobile phones, routers, Wi-Fi equipment and ₹31,000 from Aftab Ahmed Ansari’s cell.
The search followed intelligence inputs that Ansari was allegedly using a phone and accessing the internet inside prison.
The devices were reportedly found in Ansari’s clothes and bedding at Presidency Correctional Home.
A pen drive and earphone were also recovered, while the cash was in ₹500 notes.
Hastings Police Station registered a case and is investigating how the devices entered the jail and whether overseas calls were made.
- Who
- Aftab Ahmed Ansari, a life-sentenced convict in the American Center attack case, and officials at Presidency Correctional Home.
- What
- Three mobile phones, Wi-Fi equipment, other electronic devices and ₹31,000 in cash were seized from Ansari’s cell.
- Where
- Cell number 14 at Presidency Correctional Home in Kolkata, West Bengal.
- When
- August 29, 2026; the related American Center attack occurred on January 22, 2002.
- Why
- Officials searched the cell after intelligence inputs alleged that Ansari was using a mobile phone and accessing the internet inside prison.
Key facts
- Prisoner
- Aftab Ahmed Ansari
- Prison
- Presidency Correctional Home, Kolkata
- Cell
- Number 14
- Electronic items seized
- Three mobile phones, two routers, a Wi-Fi device, a pen drive and an earphone
- Cash seized
- ₹31,000, all in ₹500 notes
- Police station
- Hastings Police Station
- Investigation
- Police are examining how the devices entered the prison and whether Ansari contacted overseas contacts, possibly including people in Pakistan
Quotes
Correctional home official
An official of the Presidency Correctional Home who described the items recovered during the search
“Three mobile phones were found in his clothes and bedding, while two routers, a Wi-Fi device, a pen drive and an earphone were also seized.”
telegraphindia.com
theprint.in
Suvendu Adhikari
West Bengal chief minister who addressed allegations of criminal activity and corruption inside prisons.
“The entire criminal network across the state is being operated from prisons. This is not something that has started today. It has continued for years. There is deep-rooted corruption. It will take time to dismantle it.”
theprint.in
Sources
Kolkata Jail Search: Mobiles, Card Reader, Pen Drives, ₹31,000 Cash Found From Life-Sentenced Prisoner Aftab Ahmed Ansari’s Cell
Mobile phones, cash seized from cell of American Centre attack mastermind Aftab Ansari in Kolkata jail
Mobile phones, cash seized from prison cell of mastermind of American Center attack in Kolkata
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