Pune: Despite Ban, Five Phones Found in Barracks at Yerwada Central Jail
Yerwada, 25th February 2026: Despite a strict ban on the use of mobile phones inside prisons, five mobile handsets, two power banks and charging wires were seized during a special inspection drive at Yerwada Central Jail, officials said. A case has been registered against the inmates concerned.
Assistant Jail Superintendent Sunil Gaikwad (55) lodged a complaint at Yerwada Police Station in connection with the seizure. Accordingly, a case has been registered against inmate Naushad Badruddin Shaikh and other prisoners.
According to police, the incident came to light on Saturday (February 21) evening when Assistant Jail Superintendent Gaikwad was on patrol inside the prison premises. He noticed suspicious movements by an inmate near a toilet block adjoining the prison wall. On questioning, the inmate claimed that a mobile phone had fallen on the ground and gave evasive replies before returning to his barrack.
The matter was reported to senior officials, following which a decision was taken to conduct a special search operation.
On Sunday, a special inspection drive was carried out at Yerwada Jail. During a search of Barrack No. 1, one mobile phone, a battery, a SIM card and a charging wire were recovered from inmate Naushad Shaikh. In a separate search of Barrack No. 6, four mobile phones, batteries and two power banks were seized.
Police Sub-Inspector Kundan Satre is conducting further investigation into the case.
