Chennai, Jan 23 : Fifteen personnel of the Tamil Nadu prisons department were dismissed over the past four years for allegedly aiding the smuggling of contraband, including ganja, tobacco, and mobile phones, into prison facilities, the Madras High Court was informed on Tuesday.
The information was disclosed in a status report filed by the Director General of Prisons before a division bench comprising Justices S M Subramaniam and M Jothiraman. The court was hearing petitions filed by the relatives of three prisoners, including religious fundamentalists Panna Ismail and Bilal Malik, alleging that they had been assaulted by prison officials.
According to the report, three prison staff were dismissed in 2021, four in 2022, five in 2023, and three in 2024. Additionally, 13 staff members were suspended in 2024, while one was suspended in 2022. Disciplinary action was initiated against 26 staff members over the same period.
The report also revealed 709 incidents of contraband smuggling into central prisons from 2021 to 2024, involving 636 prisoners, 49 visitors, and 55 prison staff. Another 163 incidents were reported during the same period, where contraband was thrown into prison premises or buried on the grounds.
A medical report submitted by the Dean of Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital stated that Bilal Malik sustained a fracture on his foot, while Panna Ismail and Yokesh had suffered simple injuries. The medical examinations were conducted by a team of specialists as directed by the court.
Additional Public Prosecutor R Muniapparaj informed the bench that Deputy Inspector General of Vellore, Shanmugasundaram, has been appointed to investigate the allegations of assault. The court directed the submission of the inquiry report by January 30 and adjourned the matter.
During the previous hearing on January 17, Advocate P Pugalenthi claimed that a verbal altercation erupted between the prisoners and officials following the seizure of a mobile phone, after which the prisoners were allegedly assaulted.
