Archive · 10 Nov 2025
Bengaluru Jail Video Controversy Leads to Probe, Protests
Videos have surfaced showing prisoners in a Bengaluru jail, including those accused of serious crimes like rape and terrorism, using phones and TVs and seemingly having parties.
This has caused a big upset, with the opposition party protesting and demanding the Chief Minister resign.
The state's Home Minister has ordered an investigation into the jail's security and has transferred or suspended some prison officials.
He said some videos are old, but an inquiry will find out what happened.
The government also plans to improve jail security by having an IPS officer in charge and connecting all security cameras.
The opposition believes the current government is too lenient with criminals and wants a higher-level probe by the NIA.
Viral videos allegedly showing inmates in Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, including a serial rapist and an ISIS recruiter, using phones, TVs, and enjoying other privileges have emerged.
Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara has formed a high-level committee led by ADGP R. Hitendra to investigate alleged lapses in the prison system.
Three prison officials, including Chief Superintendent K. Suresh, Superintendent Imamsab Myageri, and Assistant Superintendent Ashok Bhajantri, have been transferred or dismissed following the video's circulation.
The Opposition BJP staged a protest demanding the Chief Minister's resignation and called for an NIA probe, accusing the government of appeasing terrorists.
The government plans to appoint an IPS officer to manage the jail and establish a command centre to monitor all CCTV cameras.
- Who
- Inmates of Parappana Agrahara Central Prison (including a serial rapist, ISIS recruiter, gold smuggler); Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara; prison officials (Chief Superintendent K. Suresh, Superintendent Imamsab Myageri, Assistant Superintendent Ashok Bhajantri); Opposition BJP leaders (B. Y. Vijayendra, R. Ashoka); Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi.
- What
- Viral videos allegedly showing inmates enjoying special privileges, leading to political outrage, protests, an official inquiry, and transfers/suspensions of prison staff.
- When
- Videos circulated on Sunday; Home Minister formed a committee on Monday. Some video footage is reportedly from 2023, and other clips are 3-4 months old.
- Where
- Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- Why
- To investigate alleged security lapses, misconduct, and corruption within the prison system, prompted by viral videos showing preferential treatment for high-security inmates.
Opposition BJP Demands
Government Response
Prisoner Treatment and Accountability
Opposition BJP Demands
The BJP is demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and called for an NIA probe, alleging 'royal treatment' and 'appeasement of terrorists' with seven-star facilities for inmates, including a serial rapist, an ISIS recruiter, and a gold smuggler. They claim rampant corruption and a nexus between jail officials and criminals, suggesting government patronage for these dreaded criminals.
Government Response
Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara has formed a high-level committee led by ADGP R. Hitendra to investigate lapses at Bengaluru central jail, acknowledging that some videos are old. He announced the transfer of Chief Superintendent K. Suresh and the dismissal/suspension of Superintendent Imamsab Myageri and Assistant Superintendent Ashok Bhajantri. The government plans to appoint an IPS officer to manage the jail and establish a command center for CCTV feeds.
Nature of Evidence and Investigation
Opposition BJP Demands
BJP leaders, like Shehzad Poonawalla, have pointed to the 'brazen manner' of the videos showing specific high-profile inmates with phones, TVs, and alcohol as evidence of serious misconduct that requires an NIA probe to 'unravel the truth'.
Government Response
Home Minister Parameshwara stated that some videos are from 2023 and others a few months old, indicating the need for an inquiry to ascertain facts. Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi commented that visual evidence makes the inquiry straightforward and that those seen in the visuals should be removed first due to their potential influence.
- Location
- Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Incident
- Viral videos allegedly show high-security inmates, including a serial rapist, ISIS recruiter, and gold smuggler, enjoying special privileges like mobile phones, TVs, and alcohol.
- Officials Transferred/Dismissed
- Chief Superintendent K. Suresh (transferred); Superintendent Imamsab Myageri (dismissed/suspended); Assistant Superintendent Ashok Bhajantri (dismissed/suspended).
- Investigative Committee Head
- R. Hitendra, ADGP (Law and Order)
- Committee Mandate
- To probe lapses at Bengaluru central jail and study conditions of prisons across the state.
- Proposed Jail Reforms
- An IPS officer to manage Parappana Agrahara Jail, a command centre connecting all CCTV cameras.
- Key Inmates Allegedly Involved
- Serial rapist Umesh Reddy, ISIS recruiter Juhad Hameed Shakeel Manna, gold smuggler involved Telugu actor Tarun.
Sources
‘Enough is enough’: Karnataka home minister orders probe into viral videos of inmates using phones, TV in jail
Liquor Bottles, Inmates Partying: New Video Of VIP Treatment In Bengaluru Jail Shows Shocking Lapses
BJP Slams Karnataka Govt Over ‘VIP Treatment’ For ISIS Recruiter, Flags National Security Threat
Party behind bars: Bengaluru jail inmates caught drinking, dancing, and using phones
Parappana Agrahara jail faces heat over viral videos
Committee to probe lapses in Bengaluru central jail, says Minister Parameshwara
Kumaraswamy lashes out at Congress government over Parappana Agrahara jail scandal
Luxury behind bars: ISIS accused, serial killer caught on camera; jail officers suspended, IPS officer takes charge
Bengaluru central jail officials suspended after viral videos show inmates using smartphones
'Liquor, Snacks...': Murderer, Rapist & ISIS Recruiter Get Royal Treatment Inside Bengaluru Jail, Officials Face Heat | Watch Video
2 Cops Suspended, 1 Transferred After Security Lapses At Bengaluru Central Jail
‘VIP treatment’ in jail: Karnataka minister G Parameshwara announces high-level probe panel; 2 officials suspended
