A major security lapse was reported at the Bhopal Central Jail on Wednesday afternoon when a drone was discovered within the jail premises. The drone was found behind the Hanuman temple located in the under-construction section of the new B-block. The incident has raised serious concerns about jail security, particularly in a facility housing several high-risk inmates, including 69 terrorists from various organizations.
According to Jail Superintendent Rakesh Bhangre, the drone was spotted at around 3:45 pm by patrolling guard Sonwar Chaurasia. The guard noticed the device lying in the area and immediately informed senior officers, who took possession of the drone. The jail administration has reported the incident to the local Gandhi Nagar police station and has informed the Director General of Jail, the Director General of Police, the Control Room, and other relevant authorities.
The recovered drone, which is of Chinese origin, is currently under investigation by technical staff. While no suspicious items were found on the drone at the time of discovery, authorities are conducting a thorough analysis. The drone is expected to be handed over to the local police for further examination.
Bhopal Central Jail houses 69 terrorists linked to organizations such as the Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), Popular Front of India (PFI), Hizb ut Tahrir (HUT), Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The facility’s high-security cell has a capacity of 58 inmates, but currently accommodates 69. Strict surveillance protocols are in place, with each terrorist monitored by two guards at all times.
Inmates are allowed out of their cells for three and a half hours daily under close supervision to perform personal activities such as walking, sunbathing, or drying clothes. These outings are divided into two sessions: two and a half hours in the morning and one hour in the evening. Terrorists are not permitted to interact with others and are kept isolated even during these breaks.
While most inmates are allowed family visits and access to the canteen in line with jail regulations, four high-profile terrorists—Kamran, Abu Faisal, Shibli, and Kamruddin—are exceptions to this rule.
