Crime and chaos inside Mangaluru jail raise serious security concerns

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru District Jail, which is meant to serve as a place of reformation, is increasingly turning into a hub of violent and criminal activities. The jail, primarily housing undertrial prisoners, has again made headlines with two back-to-back incidents of violence in as many days.

On May 19, inmates attempted to assault Chotte Naushad, one of the accused in the Suhas Shetty murder case. Another incident of inmate violence was reported on May 20 as well. The jail has witnessed numerous troubling episodes including fights among inmates, murder, possession of narcotic substances like ganja, smuggling of mobile phones, attempted escapes, suicides, and even food poisoning incidents.

There have been several instances where individuals have thrown packets containing contraband—including drugs and mobile phones—into the jail premises from outside, often using two-wheelers for a quick escape. A few years ago, a photo showing inmates enjoying a feast together had gone viral, sparking concerns over lax supervision.

Double murder a decade ago
On November 2, 2015, two notorious inmates—Madur Yusuf and Ganesh Shivaram Shetty—were killed inside the jail during a gang fight. Ganesh Shetty had intervened to stop the attack and lost his life in the process. Several inmates and jail staff were also injured in that violent clash. The weapons used for the murders were reportedly smuggled into the jail from outside.

Escape incidents
In 2017, Jinappa Parava, an undertrial in a rape case, escaped under the watch of prison guards. Though he was later apprehended, another escape was reported in 2019 when Mohammed Rafiq, an undertrial in a theft case, managed to flee right outside the prison entrance while returning from court. In 1999, four inmates had escaped from the facility in a major security breach.

Mobile phones and contraband seizures
Frequent raids by police inside the jail have led to the recovery of mobile phones and other prohibited items. A raid on February 19, 2019, resulted in the seizure of seven mobile phones and a SIM card. A massive haul on July 25, 2024, uncovered 25 mobile phones, a Bluetooth device, five earphones, and a pen drive. During an April 2023 raid, authorities found beedis, cigarettes, and tobacco. These recurring lapses point to a severe breach in jail security.

Mass food poisoning incident
On March 5, 2025, over 45 inmates fell ill due to suspected food poisoning. Many inmates began experiencing severe stomach pain after lunch, and over 40 were admitted to Wenlock Hospital for two days before recovering.

Transfer of high-risk inmates
Notorious and high-risk prisoners are often shifted to jails in Shivamogga, Mysuru, Belagavi, or Dharwad. Court hearings for such inmates are generally conducted via video conferencing, and physical presence is arranged only when essential. To manage communal sensitivities, the jail has separate blocks for Hindu and Muslim inmates.

Overcrowding and relocation delay
Though the jail has a capacity for 200 male and 10 female inmates, it currently houses over 310 prisoners. The jail’s proximity to high-rise buildings also poses a security challenge. A new jail is under construction near Mudipu on a 65-acre site, with a capacity to house 1,000 inmates. The first phase of construction, costing ₹110 crore, has been completed. However, the second phase, including staff quarters and additional infrastructure estimated at ₹195 crore, is yet to commence, delaying the overall relocation process.