Pune: Five Mobile Phones and Power Banks Seized During Surprise Search at Yerawada Central Jail
Pune: Five Mobile Phones and Power Banks Seized During Surprise Search at Yerawada Central Jail
Pune, February 26, 2026: Authorities at Yerwada Central Jail recovered five mobile phones and two power banks during a special search operation conducted inside the prison premises earlier this week.
The search was initiated on February 22 after a mobile phone was noticed near the jail’s boundary wall, raising suspicions of contraband activity. Assistant Jail Superintendent Sunil Gaikwad, 55, who was on routine patrol duty, observed an inmate acting suspiciously behind a toilet block within the facility.
The inmate, identified as Naushad Badudrin Sheikh, allegedly handed over a mobile phone that he claimed to have found on the ground. However, officials said he failed to provide convincing answers when questioned further.
Following the incident, senior prison authorities ordered a detailed search of Barracks 1, 2 and 6. During the inspection of Barrack 1, officials found a bag belonging to Sheikh that contained a mobile phone without a battery or SIM card, along with a charging cable. Three additional mobile phones were recovered from outside Barrack 1, while another device was found outside Barrack 6. All the seized phones were reportedly without batteries or SIM cards.
In addition to the phones, officials confiscated two power banks and multiple charging wires.
A complaint has been filed at Yerawada Police Station, and a case has been registered against Sheikh and other unidentified inmates. Police Sub-Inspector Kundan Satre is leading the investigation to determine how the prohibited items were smuggled into the jail.
