The West Bengal government on Friday launched a major crackdown inside the state prison system after a surprise raid at Presidency Correctional Home allegedly uncovered dozens of mobile phones and SIM cards from inside the high-security correctional facility.
According to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, authorities recovered 23 mobile phones and more than 30 SIM cards during the joint operation conducted by Kolkata Police and state police officials.
Following the recovery, prison superintendent M Kujur and chief controller Dipta Gharai were suspended over alleged lapses in prison security and administration.
The Chief Minister stated that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) would now investigate how prohibited electronic devices entered the correctional home despite existing surveillance and security systems.
“We have suspended superintendent M Kujur and chief controller Dipta Gharai after a joint operation by the Kolkata and state police,” Adhikari said while addressing reporters.
He also warned that strict action would be taken not only against those who allegedly used the phones from inside jail but also against individuals who reportedly received the calls outside the prison.
The Presidency Correctional Home houses several high-profile inmates, including Sheikh Shahjahan, whose name was mentioned during the briefing.
The developments came alongside another major administrative action linked to the RG Kar rape and murder case, where three IPS officers were suspended over alleged lapses in the initial handling of the investigation.
Officials identified the suspended officers as Vineet Goyal, Indira Mukhopadhyay and Abhishek Gupta.
At the time of the incident, Vineet Goyal was serving as Kolkata Police Commissioner, while Indira Mukhopadhyay and Abhishek Gupta held senior deputy commissioner posts within the Kolkata Police structure.
Adhikari alleged that the RG Kar case had not been handled properly during the early stages and announced that related files would now be reopened for fresh examination.
Meanwhile, the mother of the RG Kar victim, Ratna Debnath, welcomed the latest developments and expressed hope that justice would finally move forward.
“We were offered money to keep our mouth shut. We were even threatened that if we open our mouths then we will not get justice for our daughter,” Ratna Debnath alleged while speaking to the media.
She further claimed that political workers guarded their residence during the initial days after the incident and restricted outsiders from meeting the family.
“Now through the new Chief Minister we can have some hope of getting justice,” she said.
The twin developments surrounding the prison raid and the reopening of the RG Kar investigation have triggered fresh political reactions across West Bengal.
