In a serious security breach at Hindalga Central Prison in Belagavi, convicted criminal Jayesh alias Jayeshkant Pujari is under investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for alleged links with terrorist organizations while serving his life sentence.
Prison Mobile Phone Scandal Uncovered
Based on a formal complaint filed by prison authorities, Belagavi rural police registered a case on Wednesday against Pujari for illegally using mobile phones and banned electronic devices from inside the high-security prison. The convict allegedly used these prohibited devices to communicate with suspected terror outfits and external handlers, raising serious national security concerns.
During its thorough investigation, the NIA uncovered Pujari's connection with terrorist Bashiruddin Noor Ahmed alias Afsar Pasha, who has previous involvement in terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. This revelation has intensified the probe into Pujari's activities and potential network.
Notorious Criminal Background
Jayesh Pujari has a long history of criminal activities. He was convicted in 2015 for murder, robbery, and extortion by the Fifth Additional District and Sessions Court in Mangaluru, which initially awarded him the death penalty. However, the Karnataka high court later commuted this sentence to life imprisonment.
The convict originally hails from Gundya village in Dakshin Kannada district and left his home at the young age of 14. He spent many years in Kerala, where he converted to Islam before returning to Karnataka and continuing his criminal activities.
Multiple Prison Transfers and Violations
Pujari's prison history shows a pattern of disciplinary issues. He was moved from Belagavi Central Jail to Mysuru Jail in May 2019 due to repeated violations of prison rules. However, he was later brought back to Belagavi based on a court order and has been serving his sentence there since.
Recent intelligence inputs received by the NIA suggest that Pujari maintained contact with terror groups even during his incarceration. The accused reportedly used mobile phones, strictly prohibited in prisons, to stay in touch with operatives outside the prison walls.
In a particularly concerning incident, Pujari shouted "Pakistan Zindabad" when he was being brought to Belagavi court, further raising suspicions about his affiliations and intentions.
Threatening Calls to Union Minister
This is not the first time Pujari has made headlines for serious allegations. In January 2023, he made threatening calls to Union minister Nitin Gadkari's office in Nagpur, demanding a massive ransom of Rs 100 crore.
The pattern continued when in March 2023, he made similar calls to Gadkari's Nagpur office, this time demanding Rs 10 crores while claiming to be a member of the notorious Dawood Ibrahim gang. Police investigations confirmed that both threatening calls were made from inside Hindalga Jail, exposing serious security lapses.
Following these incidents, Nagpur police lodged stringent charges against him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, adding to his already long list of legal troubles.
The case registered by Belagavi police is currently under investigation, with the NIA taking a leading role in uncovering the full extent of Pujari's alleged terror connections and the security breaches that enabled his activities from within the prison system.
