Belagavi, February 20: Belagavi police have confiscated a mobile phone from an inmate at Hindalga central prison, after a special check on Friday.
The check up followed a complaint by a woman that Thouseef Nippani, accused in the Fruit Irfan murder case, had been calling from the Hindalga prison itself and blackmailing her for money.
Following press reports on the matter too, Police Commissioner Dr K Thyagarajan instructed a team led by DCP (Law and Order) Dr Vikram Amte and comprising two ACPs, eight CCPs, eight sub-inspectors, and 55 police staff members for investigation of the matter.
The police team visited the Hindalga prison on Friday afternoon and inspected the premises and checked the inmates’ belongings. They found the mobile phone near the compound wall of the prison, said police sources.
Former minister Vinay Kulkarni, who has been imprisoned, is said to have been communicating to his supporters including a Dharwad legislator over video conference.
The detection of a mobile phone at Hindalga prison is giving rise to suspicion on the officers at the prison, with people asking if the officers have been letting the inmates have access to such facilities.
The police team is investigating the matter further.
