Daijiworld Media Network – Shivamogga

Shivamogga, July 12: In a bizarre and alarming incident, a convict lodged at the Shivamogga Central Jail was found to have swallowed a mobile phone, which was later recovered following a surgical procedure at a government hospital.

The inmate, identified as Daulat alias Gunda (30), had approached the prison medical staff on June 24, claiming he had swallowed a stone, which had become lodged in his stomach. Upon preliminary examination, doctors referred him to McGann Hospital, Shivamogga, for further investigation.

Initial X-ray scans reportedly failed to detect the object. However, a second round of imaging confirmed the presence of a foreign object in the inmate’s stomach. After completing the necessary formalities, the convict underwent surgery, during which doctors were stunned to discover a mobile phone measuring approximately 1 inch in width and 3 inches in length.

The recovered mobile phone was officially handed over to the Shivamogga Central Prison authorities on July 8.

Chief superintendent Dr. P Ranganath, who is overseeing the case, expressed deep concern over the incident. He has filed a formal complaint with the Tunga Nagar police station, seeking an investigation into how the banned device made its way into the high-security prison. “The convict remains silent about the motive behind swallowing the phone,” said Dr. Ranganath.

Strangely, prison officials noted that despite having a mobile phone inside his stomach, Daulat continued to eat regularly and showed no visible signs of distress.

Daulat, who was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment by the Shivamogga district principal and sessions court, had been transferred to the central jail on June 15.

The incident has raised serious questions about internal security and surveillance lapses within the prison system.

A detailed probe is now underway to trace the source of the mobile phone and identify any possible breach involving prison staff or external handlers.