Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Surat Jail Inmates' Families Get Ransom Calls Demanding Money
Imagine some people in jail whose families got strange phone calls.
The person calling pretended to be a jail guard and asked for money, saying it was for better beds and food for the people inside.
But the real jail guards said they never made these calls and that it's probably someone trying to make the jail look bad.
Now, the police are trying to find out who made the calls and why.
Families of three undertrial inmates in Surat received ransom calls.
Callers demanded Rs 15,000 each from families for mattresses and home-cooked tiffin services in jail.
The calls were made on November 8, while the inmates were at the district court.
Jail authorities deny making the calls and have filed a complaint, suspecting an attempt to tarnish the jail's reputation.
Sachin police are investigating the incident, using technical surveillance to identify the caller.
- Who
- Families of undertrial inmates Smit Dholakiya, Prashant Kachhadiya, and Jay Dangar.
- What
- Received ransom calls demanding money for jail amenities for the inmates.
- When
- November 8, afternoon, while the inmates were in court.
- Where
- The calls were received by families at their residences, reportedly concerning the Surat Central Jail.
- Why
- The unknown caller(s) claimed the money was for mattresses and tiffin services, while jail authorities suspect an attempt to tarnish the jail's reputation.
Jail Authorities
Unknown Caller(s)
Call Origin and Intent
Jail Authorities
Deny making the calls, stating their staff did not call the families and that the accused were in court at the time. They believe the calls aim to tarnish the jail's reputation.
Unknown Caller(s)
Claimed to be a jailor and demanded Rs 15,000 from each family for mattresses and tiffin services for the inmates.
Source of Family Contact Information
Jail Authorities
Questioned how the family members' mobile numbers were obtained, implying a potential security breach or leak.
Unknown Caller(s)
Demonstrated knowledge of the families' contact information, suggesting an insider or someone with access to such details.
- Accused
- Smit Dholakiya, Prashant Kachhadiya, Jay Dangar
- Ransom Demand
- Rs 15,000 per family
- Services Demanded For
- Mattresses and home-cooked tiffin services for inmates
- Jail
- Surat Central Jail
- Date of Calls
- November 8, afternoon
- Police Station Investigating
- Sachin police station
- Complaint Filed By
- Jailor Purshottam Chavda