Maharashtra govt mulling to install mobile jamming towers in jails

Mumbai, April 8: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said the government is considering to install mobile jamming towers in prisons across the state.

Speaking during the Question Hour, Fadnavis said despite installing mobile jammers in prisons, cases of phones being sneaked in for the use of prisoners are not decreasing.

Congress MLC Anant Gadgil raised the question of mobile phones being sneaked inside Yerwada jail in Pune.

"Cases regarding mobile phones being sneaked inside Yerwada jail are increasing despite the jail having a mobile detector, mobile jammers and walky talkies used to intercept calls. Why is this happening inspite of all this technology?" he questioned.

Replying to Gadgil, Fadnavis said last year in July and August the former government had received specific inputs of malpractices going on in jails in the state but there was no action taken against the people concerned.

"These malpractices cannot happen without connivance of the jail staff. The state government has started taking action against all this now. We are also conducting raids during night time to catch the culprits unawares," Fadnavis said.

"We know that there are jammers installed in jail premises to check the sneaking of phones inside. But it is seen that these jammers are not as effective as they should be. Hence, the government is in talks with companies and a plan is being formulated to install mobile jamming towers in all prisons," he added.

Shiv Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe then said that her party leaders have received specific inputs from prisoners who have served terms in prisons and that consolidated information will be given to the CM about the malpractices soon.

PTI