PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa came down heavily on jail authorities for failing to comply with its December 18, 2025 directions on curbing illegal mobile phone use inside Colvale jail, terming their response an “eye-wash”.
The Bench on Tuesday expressed dissatisfaction with a short affidavit filed by the authorities, observing that it lacked concrete details on action taken so far to address the issue. The court directed the authorities to file a comprehensive affidavit outlining both the steps already taken and a clear roadmap for future action. The matter has been posted for further hearing on April 18.
During an earlier hearing in January, the Prisons Department had informed the court that a “time-bound action matrix” had been prepared to tackle the smuggling and use of mobile phones inside the jail. It had maintained that any action against wrongdoing must be backed by evidence obtained through a lawful inquiry.
Superintendent of Prisons Sucheta Dessai had stated that the plan aimed at “swift, comprehensive and legally sustainable measures” to curb such incidents. However, the department had also cited the need for government approvals for implementing technology-driven reforms.
Among the immediate measures listed were intensified searches of barracks and cells, increased surprise inspections, and stricter checks at entry and exit points, including verification of all persons and materials entering the premises.
The department had further informed the court that CCTV footage for relevant dates had been secured for preservation, and steps were underway to identify and rectify surveillance blind spots.
