Punjab: Hoshiarpur jail dy superintendent, warder arrested over gangster's viral prison video

Hoshiarpur (Punjab), Jul 5 (PTI) Punjab Police on Sunday arrested an additional superintendent and a warder of the Central Jail, Hoshiarpur, along with 10 others in connection with the investigation into a purported video allegedly recorded and circulated by a gangster from inside the prison. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sandeep Kumar Malik said the arrests were made after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probed the viral video allegedly recorded by inmate Manpreet Singh alias Manna, which surfaced on social media on June 14. Police said a mobile phone without a SIM card was recovered from Manpreet's possession during a search inside the jail on June 14, following which an FIR was registered. The SIT found that a network involving inmates, outside facilitators and jail officials was operating in the case. The arrested jail officials have been identified as Harbhajan Singh, Additional Superintendent, and Ravinder Singh, a warder posted at the Central Jail, Hoshiarpur. Apart from the two officials, those arrested include Manpreet Singh, several inmates brought on production warrants from the jail, and people allegedly helping them from outside. SSP Malik said the police recovered several mobile phones during the investigation and found financial transactions involving lakhs of rupees. He alleged that evidence showed the two jail officials had received money and failed to perform their official duties. The exact purpose of the payments was still under investigation. Police have also added provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act to the FIR against the two officials for their alleged involvement with the accused. The SSP said the investigation was ongoing and more arrests were possible. The two officials are to be produced before a court to seek their police remand for further questioning. The case stems from a purported video in which Manpreet Singh, a resident of Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda district, alleged harassment by jail staff, demands for money and the availability of drugs inside the prison. He also claimed some jail personnel assaulted inmates and appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to introduce reforms in jails. Following the video's circulation, jail authorities initiated an inquiry into the allegations. During the investigation, a SIM-less mobile phone was recovered from Manpreet Singh's possession inside the jail, police said. The video triggered a political controversy, with opposition leaders questioning the functioning of the jail administration and how an inmate in a high-security prison was allegedly able to record and circulate such a video. Police said further investigation into the case is underway. PTI COR VSD SUN MPL MPL