5 phones seized from Ambala jail inmates

Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

Ambala, June 13

The seizure of mobile phones and subscriber identification module (SIM) cards from Central Jail Ambala has become a regular feature. Three such incidents have been reported from the jail over the past week and three separate cases have been registered at Baldev Nagar police station.

On June 11, a SIM card was seized from the jail premises on the disclosure of Deepu, who was taken on production warrant from Central Jail Ambala and was produced before a court in Chandigarh in connection with a firing incident in Chandigarh on May 31.

Officialspeak

People use different techniques to throw phones and SIM cards inside the jail. Phones packed in packets, while SIM cards are hidden in balls. —Vishal Chhiber, DSP, Central jail, Ambala

The Chandigarh Police had said that during interrogation, Deepu disclosed that he was using a mobile phone to communicate with Lawrence Bishnoi and other criminals active in the region.

However, Jail Superintendent Lakhbir Singh didn’t comment on the claim of the Chandigarh Police and said that it was a matter for investigation. He added, “A SIM card was recovered from the jail following which a case was registered at Baldev Nagar police station. The matter is being investigated by the police. We are making efforts for joint search operations with the police to curb the use of any type of mobile phone from inside the jail.”

On June 9, a phone was seized from the pocket of an inmate during frisking. On June 7, two packets, containing four mobile phones and four chargers, which were thrown from outside the jail were recovered by the guards.

DSP, Central Jail, Ambala, Vishal Chhiber said, “Checking is done twice a day and mobile phones and other items are seized from the prisoners. People use different techniques to throw phones and SIM cards inside the jail. Phones packed in packets, while SIM cards are hidden in balls.”

Superintendent of Police Abhishek Jorwal said, “Cases have been registered following the seizure. Our team of CIA along with the jail staff will inspect the jail and check if more such phones and SIM cards are being used inside the jail.”