‘Liquor’, hookah party in Ludhiana Central Jail; min orders inquiry

LUDHIANA: A video of gangster Manwinder Singh, alias Nikka Jattana, along with other jail inmates, lodged in Ludhiana Central Jail, has surfaced in which they are seen allegedly having liquor and smoking hookah. In the background, the inmates could be seen having fun while music is being played on the LED TV screen.
When the TOI contacted the local jail officials, they claimed that they did not receive any video. However, on the basis of some picture, which they had received, they had conducted a search operation in the jail and recovered one hookah buried in the sand, two abandoned mobile phones, six mobile phones from other inmates and 38 packets of tobacco.
In the 34-second video, gansgter Nikka Jattan is carrying a disposale glass allegedly containing liquor. Some other inmates also had similar glasses in their hands while one of them was smoking hookah.
Jail superintendent Balkar Singh Bhullar said, “I was on leave when the jail staffers had conducted a search operation and had recovered a hookah, 38 packets of tobacco and mobiles on May 9. However, I don’t have more information about it as the deputy superintendent was on duty that day.”
Deputy superintendent of Ludhiana Central Jail, Satnam Singh Bhatti said, “I had received a picture in which one inmate was seen with a hookah. Following that, we conducted a search and four inmates were booked. We also recovered a total of eight mobile phones, one hookah and 38 packets of tobacco. An FIR was lodged against inmates including Gagan Vij, Shubham Bhalla,Neeraj Kumar and Ranjeet Singh under the Prison Act.”
On asking about inmates having “liquor”, the jail deputy superintendent said, “That could be green tea or some other cold drink. Further, police will investigate the case.”
TOI also contacted jail minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and shared the video with him. Minister Randhawa said he has directed the jail superintendent to investigate.