A video of inmates having a gala time inside a central jail in Ludhiana went viral on social media on Friday, throwing security officials off guard.
The clip purportedly showed dozens of prisoners having 'chai pakoda' inside the jail barrack as they celebrated the birthday of an undertrial prisoner, Mani Rana.
"Aajj sadde Mani veer da budday hai..." (It's brother Mani's birthday today)," they were heard saying in the viral video.
According to reports, the video was shot by Mani Rana on December 21, who organised his birthday party. After the clip went viral, the officials filed a First Information Report against the 10 prisoners seen in the video and initiated an inquiry against the prison authorities. Rana was also booked under section 52-A (1) of the Prison Act.
“They were having tea and pakora. After we got to know that they shot the video, we confiscated the cellphone the next day from Mani. An FIR was also registered against him,” Shivraj Singh, Ludhiana jail superintendent, told Indian Express newspaper.
“After the video surfaced on social media, we identified ten other inmates and a complaint has been sent to the local police station,” Singh added.
Though the police have seized the phone used to record the video, Rana damaged the device, making it difficult for authorities to retrieve the pictures and videos.
Meanwhile, questions are now being raised as to how the inmates could access phones, mobile network, and even internet connection within the jail.
Singh said that they have requested the top authorities to install jammers to block access to mobile phone networks and the internet inside the jail.
“A request has been sent to the government to get them installed,” he added.
(With inputs from agencies)