Prisons DGP seeks inquiry report on alleged violations at Kalaburagi prison by January 20

Director General of Police (Prisons and Correctional Services) Alok Kumar on Saturday said corrective measures would be initiated to restore discipline in prisons after videos surfaced allegedly showing inmates of the Kalaburagi Central Prison engaging in prohibited activities, adding that an inquiry report has been sought by January 20.

“The inquiry report has been sought by January 20, based on which action will be taken against all those found responsible, including prison staff and inmates,” Mr. Kumar said, warning that stern action would be initiated against officials found to have been involved in or complicit in misconduct inside the prison.

Mr. Kumar was speaking to the presspersons after conducting an extensive inspection of each barrack in the prison for more than four hours.

He said that since assuming charge as the DGP (Prisons), he had been visiting prisons across the State to assess their functioning. “Inmates are lodged in prisons after committing offences. Prisons should not become places that allow them to commit further violations. The focus must be on reform and behavioural change,” he said.

Appealing to prison staff to discharge their duties honestly and responsibly, Mr. Kumar said any dereliction of duty or involvement in illegal activities would be dealt with firmly.

Confirming that prohibited activities had occurred at the Kalaburagi prison, he said a probe team headed by Additional Inspector General of Prisons P.V. Anand Reddy had been constituted. The team has already begun its inspection and will carry out another visit to prison to collect additional evidence.

Mr. Kumar, however, cautioned against drawing conclusions about the viral video footage at this stage, stating that the intent behind the videos could be ascertained only after the inquiry was completed.

Referring to allegations of interference by a private individual in the prison’s administration, he said CCTV camera footage was being examined as part of the inquiry.