CHANDIGARH: In a major move against corruption and drug rackets operating within prisons across the state, the Punjab Government has suspended 25 officials, including three Deputy Superintendents and two Assistant Superintendents of the Jails Department.
“Following reports of irregularities and drug-related activities within jails, the government said the action was to end corruption and drug networks. The big action was taken as per information received about corruption and drug networks in jails,” said an official on condition of anonymity.
He further stated that the suspensions aim to bring about systemic reform in prison management and ensure greater transparency and efficiency. “This action is expected to significantly improve the functioning of jails and promote a more accountable system,” he added.
Sources said that in the last few years, there have been multiple instances of gangsters operating drug and criminal syndicates using mobile phones inside prisons, with visitors devising innovative methods to smuggle contraband and jail staff allegedly facilitating the entry of drugs and other banned items.
In a recent case, jailed pastor Bajinder Singh was found in possession of a mobile phone and cash inside his cell at the Mansa district jail. A fresh case under the Prisons Act has been registered against him. Singh is currently serving a life sentence for the rape of a woman in 2018.
On 9 June this year, an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) and a head constable were arrested in connection with the smuggling of drugs and other prohibited items into Ropar district jail. Prior to that, on 15 May, the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Security) at Sangrur jail was arrested for his alleged active involvement in drug smuggling.
In July last year, 200 inmates lodged in various prisons were shifted to Bathinda Central Jail by the Special Task Force to curb mobile phone usage, as the facility is equipped with advanced jamming technology.
Sources also revealed that there are currently around 36,000 inmates in jails across Punjab, against a sanctioned capacity of 26,000. The recent surge in inmate numbers is largely attributed to arrests made under the state government’s ongoing Yudh Nashian Virudh (War Against Drugs) campaign.
A screening of jail inmates conducted in 2022 found that at least 47 per cent were addicted to drugs. Of the approximately 30,000 inmates screened, 14,000 were found to be drug-dependent, with many reportedly becoming addicts after entering prison. The most commonly used substances were morphine, tramadol and buprenorphine.