Karnataka prison DIG arrested for forging Supreme Court order and abusing inmate's wife
A Karnataka prison deputy inspector general was detained for allegedly using counterfeit Supreme Court documents to free a murder convict and for sexually exploiting the convict’s spouse.
In a crackdown on corruption within Karnataka’s prison system, DIG Somashekhar of the Kalaburagi zone was taken into custody for allegedly authorising the release of murder convict Shankar in 2018 with falsified Supreme Court documents. The investigation also uncovered accusations that Somashekhar sexually exploited Shankar’s wife and repeatedly granted the inmate short-term parole despite clear staff objections and the convict’s earlier escape.
The illegal parole approvals were recorded with fabricated verification calls to a non-existent police station number. The arrest was carried out by a special team headed by Electronics City deputy commissioner of police M Narayana, and a local court ordered Somashekhar’s detention until October 9. The case follows the earlier arrest of assistant Srikanth, who had produced the fake court papers. Officials say the scandal highlights systemic lapses in prison oversight.
Why it matters
It reveals deep corruption in Karnataka’s prison administration and raises concerns about abuse of power.
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