Karnataka Prisons DIG Arrested Over Alleged Illegal Release of Life Convict

Bengaluru: A major development has emerged in the Karnataka Prisons and Correctional Services Department following the arrest of Deputy Inspector General of Prisons M Somashekar in connection with the alleged illegal release of a life convict from Bengaluru Central Prison in 2018.

Police allege that a forged Supreme Court order was used to secure the release of Shankar Arumugam, a convict serving a life sentence in a kidnapping and extortion case. Somashekar, who was the Chief Superintendent of Bengaluru Central Prison at the time, was taken into custody on October 4 and has been remanded to police custody until October 9.

According to the investigation, Shankar had been sentenced to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 10,000 in 2004. His appeals before the Karnataka High Court and the Supreme Court were subsequently rejected.

Police allege that a fake Supreme Court order was later prepared showing that his sentence had been reduced to the payment of the Rs 10,000 fine. The document reportedly carried a forged court seal and signature. Based on the purported order, Shankar was released from prison on November 13, 2018.

The alleged fraud came to light nearly eight years later after the prison department received an anonymous complaint. Prison officials contacted the Supreme Court to verify the document and were reportedly informed that no such order had been issued. A case was subsequently registered at the Parappana Agrahara Police Station.

During the investigation, police also arrested jail employee Srikanth, who was working in the section dealing with convicted prisoners. Investigators are examining his alleged role in preparing or facilitating the forged document and the circumstances surrounding Shankar’s release.

The investigation has also brought allegations concerning Shankar’s wife to light. According to police, she told investigators in a statement recorded before a court that Srikanth allegedly told her that she would have to cooperate sexually with Somashekar in order to secure her husband’s release. Police have alleged that Somashekar subsequently sexually exploited her. These allegations remain part of the ongoing investigation.

Investigators have also alleged that Somashekar granted Shankar three separate 15 day parole periods in 2018 despite concerns over his eligibility. Police are examining how the parole approvals were granted and whether proper verification procedures were followed.

The investigation has further raised questions over the verification of the purported Supreme Court order. Police are examining why the document was accepted despite the need to verify its authenticity through the appropriate judicial channels.

Somashekar is now the third accused arrested in the case. Police are questioning him about the alleged forged order, Shankar’s release, the prison records and the allegations made by the convict’s wife.

The investigation is continuing, and the allegations against Somashekar and the other accused remain subject to the judicial process.