Drunk inmates, phones found in Kutch jail

Rajkot: A raid conducted by Kutch (East) superintendent of police Sagar Bagmar at the Galpadar District Jail in Gandhidham, Kutch, uncovered a shocking state of affairs. The high-security barrack, housing some of the most notorious criminals from across the state, was found to have inmates under the influence of alcohol, while others possessed high-end mobile phones, including an iPhone 15 Max Pro.The raid, which took place on Saturday night, also led to the discovery of cash and prohibited items within the jail premises.
As a result of the raid, legal action was initiated against several inmates, with seven cases registered under the Prohibition Act. Six of these cases were related to alcohol consumption, while one pertained to the possession of foreign liquor. Furthermore, FIRs were filed for the illegal use of mobile phones and possession of cash inside the jail. The police seized four mobile phones, including the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and recovered 50,000 in cash from the roof of the high-security barrack.
Following the revelations, five personnel of the Galpadar District Jail, including the in-charge superintendent LV Parmar, were transferred with immediate effect. Parmar was transferred to Vadodara Central Jail, while Subedar R S Devda and constables Pinkesh Patel, Ravindra Muliya, and Shailesh Khetriya were transferred to Rajkot Central Jail.
The seized mobile phones were found to belong to inmates with extensive criminal histories. Yuvrajsinh Jadeja, a listed bootlegger from Kutch with 22 previous offences under the Prohibition Act, was found with one phone. Surjit Pardeshi, accused in a murder case and under the Arms Act, and Razak alias Sopari Chavda, who has 19 offences including murder and attempted murder against him, were also found in possession of phones. Hitendrasinh alias Hitubha Zala, with 12 offences including murder and Arms Act violations, was caught with a mobile phone as well. FIRs under sections 42, 43, and 45 of the Prisoner Act were filed against the four inmates found with mobile phones.
Kutch (East) SP Sagar Bagmar said that the surprise inspection was conducted due to the presence of several notorious inmates in Gandhidham Galpadar Jail. “Seven different teams from Kutch East Police, including officers and staff from Gandhidham LCB, Special Operation Group, Gandhidham A Division, Gandhidham B Division, and Adipur Police Station were involved in the raid. The teams arrived at the jail in private vehicles and focused their checks on the high-security barrack, where the illegal items were discovered,” Bagmar told TOI.