Post News Network
Cuttack, Nov 29: They might be behind bars but that has not stopped them from indulging in criminal activities. Inmates of Choudwar Circle Jail are planning crimes such as murder, extortion and tender-fixing.
Commissionerate Police recently learnt that contract killer Sheikh Sona was directed by some criminals inside the jail to murder Muhammed Farooq Tayab after the Malgodown-based trader refused to pay the extortion amount demanded from him.
Sources said that the Commissionerate Police and the district rural police have failed to keep tabs on the activities of notorious criminals lodged in the Choudwar Jail.
More than 30 persons have been murdered in the silver city during the last nine months. Several incidents of robbery and extortion have also been reported. A majority of these crimes have been planned inside the jail, according to sources, with people serving jail terms controlling criminal activities through mobile phones.
During a raid in March, Commissionerate Police had seized mobile phones and intoxicants from the jail, sources said.
“The CP and district rural police should conduct regular raids on the jail and keep a tab on the activities of notorious criminals. Many crimes are being hatched inside the jail and are also being remote controlled from there,” said former inspector general of police Anadi Sahu.
Choudwar Circle jailer Sitanshu Sekhar Deb, however, ruled out the use of mobile phones by prisoners. “Mobile phones are strictly banned for the prisoners. We have also installed one jammer inside the jail. Apart from that, strict vigil has been kept on the activities of a few prisoners,” Deb said.
Deputy commissioner of police Sanjeev Arora and district rural police superintendent Gurudas Kundu said, “Regular raids are being undertaken on the jail to keep an eye on notorious criminals.”