Ludhiana, October 31 — An assistant sub-inspector (ASI) from the 3rd Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) posted at Ludhiana Central Jail has been arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle narcotics into the prison, police said on Thursday.
The accused, identified as ASI Kamaljit Singh, was caught during a frisking routine at the jail’s main gate when he arrived to join duty after a shift change. Officials recovered 10 grams of narcotic powder, 325 grams of tobacco, and six sachets of packed tobacco from his possession, according to a complaint filed by Assistant Jail Superintendent Jaswinder Singh.
“He was intercepted during the security check at the entry gate. On being searched, the contraband was found in his pockets. He had reportedly brought it to sneak into the barracks,” the complaint read.
Police were immediately alerted, and the accused was handed over to them. ASI Davinder Singh, who is investigating the case, said a case under Sections 22, 61, and 85 of the NDPS Act and Sections 42, 45, and 52A(1) of the Prisons Act has been registered. “We are questioning him to identify others involved in the supply chain,” he noted.
This is the second case within 18 days of prison staff being caught smuggling drugs into the facility.
On October 11, narcotics were found hidden inside an LED television smuggled into the jail. A probe later revealed the alleged involvement of Assistant Superintendent Sukhwinder Singh, who was just weeks away from retirement. Two inmates — Ferozedin and Deepak — were also named in the FIR after CRPF personnel discovered two packets of drugs, weighing 84 grams and 121 grams, cleverly concealed inside the TV frame during a security check.
Police said such repeated breaches have prompted enhanced surveillance and stricter frisking procedures for all staff entering the prison.
