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Bengaluru's Central Jail has found itself embroiled in controversy once again, as reports emerge of inmates enjoying a life of luxury. A video that surfaced online shows a terrorist affiliated with ISIS conversing on a mobile phone. Following the revelation, authorities have initiated an investigation. Six videos that went viral on social media on Saturday depict notorious inmates, including ISIS handler Juhad Hamid Shakeel Manna and serial rapist and murderer Umesh Reddy, engaging in phone conversations, watching television, and enjoying various amenities.

Three of these videos are reportedly from 2023, while the others are more recent. This security lapse has not only embarrassed the jail administration but has also raised serious concerns regarding national security. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has ordered a thorough investigation and assured that strict action will be taken against those responsible. In the footage, ISIS handler Juhad Hamid Shakeel Manna is seen talking on both a smartphone and a basic handset, comfortably seated with other inmates in the barracks. Manna faces allegations of recruiting for ISIS and involvement in terrorist activities. A senior official noted that the use of mobile phones by such inmates poses a significant threat, as it could lead to radicalizing other prisoners or contacting handlers from banned organizations.

Similarly, suspected members of other terrorist organizations, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, were also seen conversing on smartphones. In another video, serial rapist Umesh Reddy is shown sitting near a television set, talking on a smartphone. Reddy has been implicated in the rape of 20 women and 18 murders between 1996 and 2022. In 2022, the Supreme Court commuted his death sentence to 30 years of rigorous imprisonment. The video shows him using two Android phones and a keypad mobile, suggesting possible collusion with jail staff.

According to sources cited by a prominent news outlet, jail officials were aware of these activities. Additionally, Tarun Raju, a friend of Ranya Rao, who is accused in a gold smuggling case, was also seen using a mobile phone and cooking inside the jail in a video recorded this year. Ranya Rao is the daughter of a senior IPS officer and is accused of leveraging her family's influence to facilitate illegal activities. The jail recently made headlines when sandalwood actor Darshan Thoogudeepa was reported to have used a mobile phone in the lawn while enjoying tea and cigarettes.

Local residents have complained that network jammers installed around the jail are disrupting their mobile signals, yet inmates appear to be using phones without interruption. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated on Saturday that he was unaware of the situation but would seek a report and take action against those responsible. ADGP (Jail) B. Dayananda has ordered an investigation to identify those who provided the phones, the role of involved officials, and the individuals responsible for leaking the videos. ADGP (Jail) P.V. Anand Reddy visited the facility and questioned both inmates and staff. Preliminary investigations revealed that the videos date back to 2023 and 2025.