A warden at Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara Central Prison was arrested on Friday evening for attempting to smuggle narcotics and cigarettes into the high-security facility by concealing them in his undergarments, marking yet another breach in the state's correctional system. Rahul Patil, a 35-year-old staff member, was intercepted at the main gate around 6:50 pm by security personnel from the Karnataka State Industrial Security Force (KSISF) after a doorframe metal detector triggered multiple times during his routine entry.

The frisking revealed two cigarette packets and approximately 60 grams of a thin, paper-like narcotic substance hidden on Patil's person, prompting immediate action from prison authorities. Superintendent Paramesh filed a police complaint, leading to Patil's suspension and booking under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, as well as provisions of the Karnataka Prisons Act, 1963. Patil, who joined the Department of Prisons and Correctional Services in 2018 and was transferred to Parappana Agrahara in June 2025 after a stint at Belagavi Central Prison, was taken into custody and now awaits bail within the same facility he once guarded.

The incident underscores the persistent challenge of contraband smuggling in Indian prisons, where narcotics and tobacco products often fuel internal economies and pose risks to rehabilitation efforts. Parappana Agrahara, notorious for housing high-profile inmates and past scandals, including mobile phone smuggling rings, has seen similar staff involvement in illicit activities, eroding public trust in correctional oversight.

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In response to a spate of recent misconduct cases involving Karnataka police personnel, State Police Chief MA Saleem issued a second circular within two months emphasising stricter entry protocols and vigilance. Investigators are probing Patil's role—whether as a lone courier or part of a larger supply chain—and identifying potential recipients among inmates, with the case highlighting the need for enhanced surveillance to curb such vulnerabilities.

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