BENGALURU: In a major crackdown on corruption within the Karnataka Prisons and Correctional Services, a deputy inspector general (DIG) of police (Prisons), Kalaburagi zone, has been arrested for his alleged involvement in releasing a life-term murder convict using forged Supreme Court documents, as well as sexually exploiting the convict’s wife.The officer, identified as Somashekhar, was arrested by a special team led by Electronics City deputy commissioner of police (DCP) M Narayana.Somashekhar served as the chief duperintendent of the Bengaluru Central Prison at Parappana Agrahara in 2018, when the fraudulent release took place.Somashekhar was produced before a local court on Monday and the court handed him over to police custody till October 9.
Forged Supreme Court Documents and Illegitimate Release
The investigation stems from the last month arrest of a second division assistant (SDA)-Srikanth, attached to Bengaluru central prison, who was charged with producing fake Supreme Court documents to secure the illegal release of murder convict Shankar in 2018.Following a complaint and internal inquiry, Shankar was subsequently re-arrested by the police in this August.According to statements provided by officers and staff assigned to the convict prisoner section at Central prison during 2018, Shankar’s release was executed directly on the orders of Somashekhar.Investigators state that despite knowing the Supreme court documents produced by the SDA –Srikanth were fake, Somashekhar proceeded to authorize the inmate’s release.
Allegations of Sexual Exploitation and Parole Violations
In the remand application submitted before the court on Monday, the Parappana Agrahara police detailed serious accusations against the senior officer, including allegations that Somashekhar sexually exploited the convict’s wife.The remand application also highlights multiple instances where Somashekhar allegedly bypassed established prison protocols to grant undue favors to Shankar:
Unlawful Parole Grants:
Despite Shankar having previously absconded while on parole, Somashekhar allegedly granted him 15-day parole on three separate occasions in 2018.These approvals were granted contrary to prison regulations and despite explicit adverse remarks recorded by prison staff indicating that Shankar was ineligible.
Falsified Verification Records:
While granting the paroles, Somashekhar officially recorded that he had verified Shankar’s credentials on each occasion by calling telephone number 23390847, claiming it belonged to the Chandra Layout police station.However, police verification confirmed that the number did not belong to the Chandra Layout station, raising severe doubts regarding the authenticity of the pre-parole verification process.