Darshan prison row: DoT says T-HCBS system cannot guarantee ‘100% call blocking’

After the installation of T-HCBS in the Central Prison Complex in Parappana Agrahara, residents of the area complained about disruptions in the mobile network. | Photo credit: Archive photo

Responding to a notification by the Department of Prisons and Corrections that cellular network was still available in the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison Complex despite the recently installed Tower-Harmonics Call Blocking System (T-HCBS), the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) stated that T-HCBS cannot ensure 100 percent call blocking.

The Prisons and Correctional Services Department was in a state of agitation after a photograph of jailed actor Darshan conversing with violent bedsheet-layers went viral. Following a memo from the state government to Malini Krishnamurthy, Director General of Police, Prisons and Correctional Services, it ordered that notices be served on the department and four telecom service providers (TSPs), namely Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL), Reliance Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea.

In its response, the DoT not only said that T-HCBS cannot block mobile phone usage “100%” but also said that the TSPs are not responsible for this issue. The DoT further said that to resolve this issue based on the actual situation on the ground, the prison authorities can explore additional technical options such as jammers and others.

“T-HCBS is a technical solution to prevent unauthorized communication from prisons. But 100 percent blocking cannot be guaranteed even after implementation of this solution due to several reasons,” the DoT said in its response. The DoT cited coverage of dark areas, shadow areas, multipath propagation, deteriorating atmospheric conditions and others as reasons for this.

However, after the installation of T-HCBS in the Central Prison Complex in Parappana Agrahara, residents around the prison complained about disruptions in the mobile network, which even resulted in emergency calls and money transactions being affected.

The DoT also said that after the installation of T-HCBS on March 3, 2024, it was tested jointly by the TSPs and the prison authorities and the DoT was informed that the system was working satisfactorily. The DoT has proposed to acquire a Radio Frequency Area Scanner to directly monitor the efficiency of the T-HCBS sites installed in the prison complex on a regular basis. On the other hand, the DoT has proposed to conduct another test jointly with the TSPs and the prison authorities on Wednesday.

T-HCBS, a new technology proposed by the Union government, has been installed in the state's prisons since January this year. The Prisons and Correctional Services Department spent Rs 4.67 crore on installing and maintaining three T-HSBS towers in the Central Jail at Parappana Agrahara. The department also spent Rs 11 crore on implementing this system in Belagavi, Vijayapura, Dharwad, Shivamogga, Ballari and Tumakuru prisons.