11 mobiles seized from Jail in two days, but jammers hit public connectivity
Ferozepur, July 30, 2026: Despite a three-tier security system and deployment of guards outside the walls of Central Jail, Ferozepur, 11 mobile phones have been recovered from inside the prison in just two days, raising fresh questions over the smuggling of prohibited communication devices into the high-security facility.
In the latest recovery of six mobile phones, cases have been registered against seven undertrial prisoners identified as Kulwan Singh, Gurjit Singh, Gurpreet Singh alias Gori, Manish Rajput, Piyanshu, Sandeep Singh and Dharampreet Singh alias Jassa alias Sherry.
A case has been registered under the relevant provisions of the Punjab Prisons and Correctional Services Act, with Sukhdev Singh appointed as Investigating Officer.
The recurring recoveries have become a major concern. The number of mobile phones seized from the jail rose from 265 in 2021 to 437 in 2022 and 469 in 2023. It touched 500 in 2024 and an unprecedented 649 in 2025. With 231 phones already recovered in 2026, the trend continues to remain alarming.
Sources said mobile jammers have also been installed to prevent the use of smuggled phones. However, residents and traders in areas adjoining the jail have reportedly faced inconvenience due to the jamming of mobile signals.
Officials routinely register cases whenever phones are recovered, but detailed investigations into how the devices enter the jail and their possible criminal use are rarely pursued, except in high-profile cases.
Sources attributed the limited follow-up partly to manpower shortages, as taking inmates on police remand requires substantial security arrangements.
The repeated recoveries have once again raised questions over how prohibited mobile phones continue to breach multiple layers of security inside the prison.