Offices found cellphone hidden under the marble flooring
Another cellphone discovery has sparked public attention at Visakhapatnam Central Jail. The Narmada Block officials chanced upon a keypad cellphone during routine checks on Friday. The cellphone was found well hidden beneath the marble flooring of a storeroom. On suspicion, the prison staff dug into the area and brought out the hidden phone. Superintendent of Police Mahesh Babu confirmed the discovery as part of the jail's regular inspections.
Previous Incident Highlights Security Breaches
This is not the first time cellphones have been discovered within jail premises. A prison official found something unusual while inspecting flower pots near the Penna Barracks that house inmates on December 31. Initially, officials suspected that a tightly packed package resembled marijuana; however, two cellphones, a battery, and a power bank were uncovered inside the package. Through their investigations, officials found that a hole had been dug for the purpose of covering the package with flower pots.
Investigation Progresses Under Senior Officials Guidance
Soon after the incident in the vicinity of Penna Barracks, higher authorities in prison raised the issue by lodging a complaint at the Arilova police station. The City Police Commissioner of Visakhapatnam, Shankhabrata Bagchi, took direct charge of the investigations, following the incidents. No SIM cards were seen with the confiscated phones, yet the police continue to search for them. This would reveal the call logs and, hence, would be able to establish communication patterns among inmates or external contacts.
The latest cellphone discovery on Friday has raised further concerns over the security measures within the jail. As the investigation into both cases continues, the authorities are under pressure to address these breaches and prevent similar incidents in the future. The revelations underscore the need for stricter surveillance and innovative countermeasures to curb contraband smuggling within prison premises.
