Kolkata, Sept. 1 -- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari made a surprise visit to Presidency Correctional Home on Tuesday afternoon to review security arrangements, days after SIM cards, a Wi-Fi device, three mobile phones, a pen drive and other electronic accessories were allegedly recovered from the cell of gangster Aftab Ansari, serving a life term for masterminding the 2002 American Centre attack.
Kolkata Police have launched a probe following a complaint lodged at Hastings police station. Police also recovered Rs 31,000 in cash, along with electronic devices, from Ansari's cell.
Investigators are probing Ansari's external contacts and a possible nexus between inmates and prison staff that facilitated the entry and use of prohibited devices, including whether a wider network operated from inside the jail.
"All call records will be examined," an official said, adding that the smuggling of smartphones into correctional homes pointed to "anarchy, malpractice and a nexus" between prison staff and inmates, who are prohibited from using mobile phones inside jails.
During the inspection, Adhikari visited various sections of the correctional home, interacted with inmates and jail authorities, and reviewed facilities including the prisoners' production centre and kitchen. He also visited the cell associated with freedom fighter Sri Aurobindo and paid tribute to him.
Adhikari directed officials to tighten security and ensure that no contraband enters the jail. He warned that strict action would be taken against officials if any such lapse was detected.
He expressed displeasure over the security breach, recalling that he had suspended the jail superintendent N. Kujur and chief controller Dipta Gharai in mid-May and ordered an inquiry after 23 mobile phones and more than 30 SIM cards were found inside the jail.
Adikari had ordered a crackdown on mobile use by inmates across Presidency, Dum Dum and Berhampore jails in May but was irked over non-compliance. Officials said the communication device found in Ansari's cell was not new and that call records were being examined.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.