Published Oct 05, 2026 | 10:55 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 05, 2026 | 10:55 PM
(Representative image)
Bengaluru Police have arrested M. Somashekar, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in the Department of Prisons and Correctional Services, for allegedly assisting in the release of a life convict using a forged Supreme Court order.
According to a Bengaluru City Police press note, the case is related to the illegal release of an individual named Shankar A, who was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined Rs. 10,000 by a Fast Track Court on July 12, 2004. He had been arrested in a case registered by the Chickpet police.
Shankar’s appeals before the Karnataka High Court and the Supreme Court were unsuccessful.
Following this, First Division Assistant (FDA) Srikanth, who was then working as an SDA in the prison’s Convict Prisoner Section, allegedly forged a copy of a purported Supreme Court order stating that Shankar had been ordered to be released.
Acting on the alleged forged order dated November 2, 2018, Shankar was released from Bengaluru Central Prison on November 13, 2018.
The alleged irregularity came to light years later, following which the Superintendent (in charge) of Bengaluru Central Prison lodged a complaint at Parappana Agrahara Police Station on May 20, 2026.
Somashekar, who was the then Chief Superintendent of Bengaluru Central Prison is alleged to have refused to coorporate with the investigation. His alleged role in the case came to light during the questioning of Shankar’s wife.
Shankar’s wife told police that the then Chief Superintendent had also assisted in securing her husband’s release.
Investigators subsequently found that Somashekar concealed information related to the case.
He was taken into custody on October 4, produced before a court and remanded to police custody for further investigation. Police said Shankar and Srikanth were also arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
Further investigation is underway.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
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