Introduction:
In a startling revelation, the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Punjab Prisons informed the High Court about self-clicked photographs and videos circulating on social media, allegedly taken from inside various prisons of Punjab. The matter came to light during the bail application hearing of Jagtej Singh, a murder accused currently lodged in Central Jail, Patiala. The court had directed ADGP (Prison) to file a detailed affidavit on the photographs, and today, updates were provided on actions taken against negligent jail officers.
Arguments:
Advocate Saurav Bhatia, representing the complainant, brought attention to the accused, Jagtej Singh, circulating his photographs on social media from within the jail. In one photo, Jagtej Singh was seen with other undertrials, all possessing multiple mobile handsets. The serious objection by Justice Manjari Nehru Kaul prompted an enquiry, revealing that Jagtej Singh had illegally used a mobile phone during his stays at Central Jail Ludhiana, Patiala, and New District Jail, Nabha. Anantpal Singh, another inmate, was found to have used a mobile to upload a video of a Central Jail, Patiala barrack as an Instagram story.
ADGP (Prisons) informed the court of a letter to ADGP, Cyber Crime, for the takedown of these circulating photos and videos. Additionally, departmental proceedings were initiated against Sh. Balkar Singh Bhullar and Sh. Manjit Singh Tiwana, former superintendents, for negligence in their duties. A letter was sent to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Patiala, to register FIRs against inmates illegally using mobile phones in Punjab prisons.
Court’s Judgment:
Justice Kaul expressed concern over these activities within the prison system. The court, upon the ADGP’s submission, took note of the supervisory lapse by jail officers and emphasized the need for disciplinary actions. The judgment highlighted the serious nature of inmates using mobile phones in prisons, jeopardizing security. It called for accountability and urged the prison authorities to take stringent measures to prevent such incidents in the future.