The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Bangalore Prison ‘prepares’ for Telgi’s second coming

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 01, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Bangalore Prison ‘prepares’ for Telgi’s second coming

Raghava M.

Extra precautions have been set in place

Telgi will be confined in a barricaded room
His food and drinks will be tested by prison personnel

Abdul Karim Telgi

BANGALORE: The prison department was in the news for all the wrong reasons when Abdul Karim Telgi of the stamp paper racket fame stayed at the Bangalore Central Prison before being moved to Yerwada Central Prison, Pune, in 2004.

From being accused of facilitating his business from behind bars, to being lackadaisical about his security and medical treatment, the prison staff was often under a cloud.

This time around the department will leave no stone unturned and is being extra cautious as they prepare for his return on Sunday.

Detailed measures have been worked out in terms of his security, vigilance and care. Chief Superintendent of the Prison will personally ensure Telgi’s safety and also see that none of the police or prison personnel get in touch with him. Staff having any contact with Telgi are being warned with suspension and strict disciplinary action.

CCTV

Telgi will be confined in a barricaded room, monitored by the Chief Superintendent through a closed circuit camera. Every day this room will be sterilised and anti-sabotage checks will be carried out. Around 10 armed police personnel will be in rotation to keep constant vigil.

A register will be maintained noting among others, the checking, change in guard, visitors and movements of Telgi. The police and the prison personnel have been asked not to allow any mobile phones and also not carry the same.

Food, water and any other drinks offered to Telgi will be tested by the prison personnel before it is given to him. The Chief Medical Officer of the Prison will monitor his health daily and ensure prompt treatment. The Medical Officer has been asked to be on call at all times and also on holidays.

Interviews

Interviews with Telgi will be allowed only by the Chief Superintendent and will be held in his presence in his chamber. The Chief Superintendent will personally observe Telgi’s movement in his room and in the video conferencing studio from where Telgi participates in the stamp paper racket cases held in a city Special Court here and elsewhere in the country.

Frequent checks

Senior prison officials will be carrying out regular searches and also pay surprise visits to ensure that there is no movement of contraband articles and mobile phones. The Chief Superintendent will be held responsible for the personal safety of Telgi and in ensuring that he has no unauthorised contact with a phone or a person. The Chief Superintendent has also been asked to see that no personnel of police or prison have any liaison with Telgi apart from official duties and transactions.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka