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Two Ranchi Jail Officials Suspended After Video Shows Accused Inmates Dancing

Opposition leaders seek a High Court–monitored investigation following a prison inquiry that verified the footage.

Overview

  • A viral clip filmed in a special hall of Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi shows two inmates dancing, with officials confirming the video is three to four months old.
  • The Inspector General of Prisons ordered an inquiry that found the allegations true, leading to the immediate suspension of Assistant Jailer Devnath Ram and Jamadar Vinod Kumar Yadav.
  • Jail authorities said the footage was taken in an area where select inmates have amenities such as a TV and a cooler, and the superintendent acknowledged action has been taken.
  • Media identified the inmates as Vidhu Gupta, arrested by the ACB in July in a liquor hologram case tied to alleged commissions nearing Rs 90 crore, and Vicky Bhalotia, arrested by the ED in May in a purported GST fraud with bogus transactions estimated over Rs 14,000 crore.
  • Jharkhand BJP chief Babulal Marandi shared the video and alleged VIP treatment for influential prisoners as he called for a judicial probe under the supervision of the High Court.