Kannur, 21 June (H.S.) :The Kannur Town Police have launched an investigation after a mobile phone and other electronic accessories were recovered from inside Kannur Central Jail during a surprise inspection conducted by prison authorities.
According to officials, the prohibited items were found concealed inside a plastic bottle buried beneath the ground within the jail premises. The discovery was made on Saturday afternoon during a routine surprise inspection aimed at preventing the use of unauthorized items by inmates.
Prison officials were inspecting the area surrounding the fifth block of the jail and a newly constructed toilet when they noticed a patch of freshly disturbed soil near the facility. Suspecting that something had been hidden there, the officers carried out a closer examination of the spot.
The search led to the recovery of a bottle containing a mobile phone, SIM card, earphones, a charging cable and a power bank. Officials believe the items had been deliberately concealed for use inside the prison, though it remains unclear how they were brought into the jail or who was responsible for hiding them.
Following the recovery, prison authorities questioned several inmates in an attempt to identify the person connected to the seized items. However, the preliminary inquiry failed to establish ownership or determine how the electronic devices reached the restricted area.
Subsequently, jail officials lodged a formal complaint with the Kannur Town Police, prompting the registration of a case and the commencement of a detailed investigation.
Police said the case has been registered under provisions of the Kerala Prisons and Correctional Services (Management) Act, which prohibits the possession and use of electronic communication equipment inside prisons without authorization.
The latest seizure has once again raised concerns over prison security. Officials noted that Kannur Central Jail has witnessed several similar incidents in recent months, including the recovery of narcotic substances and other banned items from within the prison complex.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
