The Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Bengaluru has once again sparked controversy after several videos surfaced online allegedly showing inmates freely using mobile phones and watching television. The clips have raised serious questions about security lapses and possible preferential treatment inside one of Karnataka’s most high-profile prisons.
Karnataka Chief Minister Government Promises Strict Action
The emergence of these videos has caused a major uproar in Karnataka, prompting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to step in. According to reports, the Chief Minister has promised a thorough investigation and said that strict action will be taken against anyone found responsible for allowing such violations inside the prison.
Karnataka Home Minister G. Parmeshwara Promised to Take Strict Action
In further move, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parmeshwara has ordered a detailed probe after a video allegedly showing an ISIS-linked terrorist and a serial rapist using smartphones inside Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Jail went viral. Calling the incident “unacceptable,” Parmeshwara said strict action would be taken against those responsible. “In the past too, when such incidents occurred, we suspended officers and took action. Even earlier in Parappana Agrahara jail, we had suspended those found guilty and taken measures,” he stated.
The Home Minister confirmed that Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayanand has been appointed to lead the investigation. “He was on leave yesterday, but I have spoken to him. I have asked him to investigate and submit a report. Such things cannot be tolerated. If this continues, it cannot be called a jail anymore,” he warned. Parmeshwara added that he would convene a meeting of senior police officers to address recurring security lapses in jails across Bengaluru, Belagavi, and Mangaluru, emphasizing that “no one whether a terrorist or anyone else should have access to a phone.”
He further said, “I’m not sure whether the video circulating is old, but an investigation must be conducted. Even if it is an old video, such things should never happen. Actor Darshan had to go to court just for a pillow, but these people easily get access to phones.”
Bengaluru | On a reported video of an ISIS terrorist and a serial rapist having access to a smartphone in the jail premises, Karnataka Home Minister G Parmeshwara says, “In the past too, when such incidents occurred, we suspended officers and took action. Even earlier in… pic.twitter.com/Flk2VsQWDS
— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2025
Probe Ordered After Parappana Agrahara Central Jail Videos Go Viral
According to PTI, prison authorities launched an internal investigation on Saturday after the videos began circulating on social media. Officials said they are looking into how such devices entered the high-security jail and whether staff members were involved.
Inmates Seen Using Phones, Drinking Tea, Watching TV in Parappana Agrahara Central Jail
The leaked videos reportedly feature Zuhaib Hameed Shakeel Manna, an alleged ISIS recruiter, and Umesh Reddy, a convicted serial rapist and murderer, among other notorious criminals.
In one of the clips shared by Aaruhi, an internet user, shows reportedly Manna a computer application specialist from Bengaluru is seen sipping tea and scrolling through a smartphone while casually speaking to the person filming him.
ये वीडियो कर्नाटक की परप्पना अग्रहरा सेंट्रल जेल का बताया जा रहा है।
यह व्यक्ति ज़ुहैब हमीद शकील मन्नन है, जो ISIS के लिए फंड जुटाने और युवाओं की भर्ती करने के आरोप में जेल में बंद है।
कांग्रेस सरकार ने उसे स्मार्टफोन, तेज़ गति वाला वाई-फाई और बेहतर कमरे की सुविधा उपलब्ध कराई है।… pic.twitter.com/HSDEFA0jln— Aaruhi🐱 (@CuteAaruhi2) November 9, 2025
Who is Zuhaib Hameed Shakeel Manna?
Zuhaib Hameed Shakeel Manna is a computer application specialist from Bengaluru. Manna had earlier been booked by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for his links to the banned terror group ISIS. Investigators had accused him of raising funds and recruiting “gullible” youth to join the terror outfit in Syria.
Umesh Reddy Spotted Using Three Phones in Parappana Agrahara Central Jail
Another shocking video shared by other netizen named Desi Dude, reportedly shows Umesh Reddy, a convict in multiple rape and murder cases, using three mobile phones inside his jail cell. According to reports, jail officials were aware of the use of these devices and even the presence of a television in the cell.
Parappana Agrahara Cetral Jail , Bengaluru
1st Video Serial rapist Umesh Reddy He is convicted for raping & killing atleast 18 women enjoying watching TV and mobile
2nd Video Zuhab Hameed Shakeel Manna ISIS operative arrested by the NIA
What is Karnataka govt doing? pic.twitter.com/lSLp036EbX
— Desi Dude (@Desidude175) November 8, 2025
Who is Umesh Reddy?
Umesh Reddy’s criminal trail began during his time in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in 1996. While posted in Jammu and Kashmir, he allegedly tried to assault his commandant’s daughter. After being arrested, he escaped custody and fled to Chitradurga, where his crime spree began. Reddy, who once had a criminal record stretching across Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, had been accused in 18 murder and 20 rape cases. He was convicted in nine of them. Originally sentenced to death in 2006 for the rape and murder of a 37-year-old woman in Bengaluru’s Peenya area, his sentence was later converted by the Supreme Court to 30 years of life imprisonment in 2021.
Investigations are ongoing. Authorities are now working to verify the authenticity of the videos and trace how mobile phones and other electronic devices managed to bypass jail security checks.
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