In a major security breach at Surat's Lajpore Jail, convicted rapist Narayan Sai has been formally charged for possessing a mobile phone and other prohibited items inside his high-security cell. The Sachin police have registered a fresh case against the inmate after a surprise raid uncovered the contraband, revealing an ingenious hiding method.
The Raid and Discovery
Acting on a specific tip-off, jail authorities conducted a raid on Thursday afternoon at the high-security cell number 1 where Sai is lodged. Lajpore jailor Dipak Bhabhor confirmed that during the search, officials found a green-blue mobile phone affixed to the iron grill of the cell gate using a powerful magnet.
The investigation deepened when staff examined Sai's personal belongings. They discovered the SIM card cleverly concealed inside his inhaler. In a further twist, the mobile battery was not found in the cell itself but was recovered from a room belonging to a jail staffer, raising questions about potential internal collusion.
Legal Repercussions and Charges Filed
Following the seizure of the unauthorized electronic devices, the Sachin police filed a formal FIR (First Information Report) against Narayan Sai. The charges have been levied under the relevant sections of the BNS and The Prisoners Act.
The specific sections invoked in the case include 223, 42, 43, and 45(12), which typically deal with escape from confinement or negligence by a public servant, and possession of prohibited items within a prison. This new case adds to the legal troubles for Sai, who is already serving a sentence as a convict in a rape case.
Implications for Prison Security
This incident has sparked serious concerns about the integrity of security measures in one of the region's most secure prisons. The ability of an inmate in a high-security cell to acquire and hide a mobile phone, a SIM card, and a battery points to significant procedural lapses. The recovery of the battery from a staff quarters area suggests the possibility of insider involvement, which is likely to lead to an internal inquiry alongside the criminal case.
Prison authorities are expected to review and tighten security protocols to prevent a recurrence of such events, which pose a threat not just to prison discipline but also to ongoing judicial processes.
