Under scanner: Beur Central Jail. Telegraph picture

Patna, Nov. 25: Beur Central Jail authorities recovered more than 48 cellphones, four SIM cards and 70 chargers from the inmates during an intensive search operation last night.

Sources said this is the largest ever seizure of cellphones from the jail inmates.

A source said the prison officials were dissatisfied with the search carried out on November 22 and hence, they carried out another raid last night.

Beur jail superintendent Shivendra Priyadarshi said the operation started at 6pm. First, the officers searched the Godavari wing, which houses criminals facing charges of murder, kidnapping and extortion.

The mobiles were hidden on the terrace of the prison.

Encouraged by the seizure of 26 cellphones at one go, the officials searched all the 120 wards and recovered more phones and chargers.

During the seven-hour-long operation, the prisoners were locked in their cells and not allowed to come out of their wards.

“As the seizure of cellphones during the search operation carried out on November 22 was not satisfactory, we decided to do it again. This time, however, we adopted a different approach,” Priyadarshi said.

He added: “This time, the operation continued till 1am. All the wards in the five wings were searched at one go. Each wing consists of 24 wards.”

The jail superintendent today sent a detailed report to the inspector-general of police (prisons) on the seizure of objectionable articles from the prisoners.

Sources said that it was the 25th search after Priyadarshi had assumed charge.

The jail superintendent has also launched a voluntary deposit scheme for the prisoners. Under this scheme, prisoners are encouraged to voluntarily deposit their cellphones with the jail authorities.

“We have promised not to take action against those who deposit their mobile phones under the voluntary deposit system,” Priyadarshi told The Telegraph over phone today.

“Fourteen cellphones have been recovered under the scheme,” he added.

At present 2,368 prisoners are lodged in Beur jail. Of these, 92 are women.