Psychiatrist ran terror cellphone racket

In a shocking revelation, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Dr. Nagaraj, a psychiatrist at Bengaluru Central Prison, for allegedly operating an illegal mobile phone racket that aided criminals and terrorists. He reportedly earned nearly ₹1 crore by smuggling and supplying over 100 mobile phones to inmates, including Lashkar-e-Taiba operative Tadiyandavide Naseer, enabling them to plan murders, abductions, extortion, and terror activities from within prison walls.

Dr. Nagaraj is accused of selling ₹10,000 phones for up to ₹30,000 and even renting them to prisoners for ₹500 per handset and SIM. His trusted access allowed him to bypass frisking at prison gates, taking advantage of security lapses despite jammers being in place.

The NIA also arrested two others: Chand Pasha, an assistant sub-inspector, and Anees Fathima, the mother of an absconding radicalisation accused. Pasha allegedly provided security to terrorists inside the jail, while Fathima is believed to have helped move illicit funds.

The money trail led to Pallavi alias Pavithra, a nurse and close associate of Dr. Nagaraj, whose bank account saw transactions exceeding ₹70 lakh.

The NIA produced all three accused in a special court, securing six days of custody. Special Prosecutor P. Prasanna Kumar stated that the smuggled phones were used directly in terror activities. DGP (Prisons) Malini Krishnamurthy confirmed Dr. Nagaraj’s prior link to a 2023 terror case and announced upgraded mobile jammers and stricter checks. Last month, a female counsellor was also caught attempting to smuggle a phone into the prison, indicating a broader pattern of insider-led breaches.