A life convict walked out of Bengaluru Central Prison in 2018 after officials received what appeared to be a Supreme Court order directing his release.
Years later, that release has come under investigation, with police questioning how the document was accepted and who helped secure the convict’s release.
The probe has now led to the arrest of M. Somashekar, a senior Karnataka prison official who was heading Bengaluru Central Prison when the convict was released.
But the investigation does not end with the alleged forged document. The convict’s wife has also made a serious allegation against Somashekar, adding another layer to a case that has raised questions about what happened inside the prison.
So, what exactly happened in 2018, and what has the investigation uncovered since then?
What Happened In Bengaluru Central Prison?
The case centres on Shankar A., who was serving a life sentence at Bengaluru Central Prison in Parappana Agrahara.
On November 13, 2018, he was released from prison after officials received a document presented as a Supreme Court order directing his release.
Investigators later found that the document was allegedly forged.
The matter came to light in 2026, when the prison's current Superintendent-in-Charge discovered the discrepancy and filed a complaint with Parappana Agrahara police on May 20, 2026.
Police later verified the purported Supreme Court documents and found that they were not genuine. City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh said a police team had travelled to Delhi and met the Supreme Court registrar as part of the verification.
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Who Is M. Somashekar?
Somashekar was the Chief Superintendent of Bengaluru Central Prison in 2018, when Shankar was released.
He is now serving as a DIG in the Prisons and Correctional Services Department's North Zone/Range.
Police allege that he had a role in the circumstances surrounding Shankar's release and that he did not cooperate with the investigation or disclose information about the case.
Somashekar was arrested on 4 October 2026 by the Parappana Agrahara police. He was subsequently produced before a court and remanded to police custody until 9 October for further questioning.
The allegations against him remain under investigation.
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What Has The Convict's Wife Alleged?
During the investigation, police questioned Shankar's wife about the circumstances surrounding his release.
According to police, she alleged that Somashekar had sexually exploited her while helping secure her husband's release.
The allegation emerged alongside the investigation into the forged Supreme Court order. Police are examining her statement and other evidence to establish what role Somashekar allegedly played in both the release and the alleged sexual exploitation.
Somashekar has been arrested, but an arrest is not a finding of guilt. The allegations will have to be established through the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.
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Why Was Shankar In Prison?
Shankar had been serving a life sentence in a 2001 kidnapping-for-ransom case registered by Chickpet Police.
The Fast Track Court-I convicted him and sentenced him to life imprisonment on 12 July 2004, along with a fine of Rs. 10,000.
His appeals before the Karnataka High Court and later the Supreme Court were unsuccessful, with the conviction and sentence upheld.
This made the purported Supreme Court order used to secure his release in 2018 particularly significant because it claimed to provide judicial authority for his release.
Who Forged The Supreme Court Order?
The investigation has also led police to Srikanth S., who was working as a Second Division Assistant in the Convict Prisoner Section at the time.
He is now a First Division Assistant.
Police allege that Srikanth created the forged Supreme Court document. Investigators have also alleged that he received Rs. 6 lakh in connection with the forgery.
Reports say Rs. 12 lakh had initially been sought to facilitate Shankar's release, with Rs. 6 lakh allegedly paid.
Shankar was also arrested after the investigation began. His wife and Srikanth were arrested in connection with the wider forged-release case and were remanded to judicial custody, according to reports.
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What Happens Next?
Police are now examining how the forged document entered the prison system, who verified it and how Shankar's release was processed.
Investigators are also examining Somashekar's alleged involvement, including the allegation made by Shankar's wife.
Somashekar remains in police custody for questioning until October 9. The investigation is ongoing, and the allegations against all the accused will be tested through the legal process.
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TL;DR | News At a Glance
What happened in Bengaluru Central Prison?
A life convict was released from Bengaluru Central Prison in 2018 using a forged Supreme Court order, according to the police investigation.
Who is M. Somashekar?
M. Somashekar is a Karnataka Prisons and Correctional Services DIG who was the Chief Superintendent of Bengaluru Central Prison when the convict was released.
Why was M. Somashekar arrested?
Bengaluru police arrested Somashekar while investigating his alleged role in the life convict’s release using the forged Supreme Court order.
What has the convict’s wife alleged?
The convict’s wife has alleged that Somashekar sexually exploited her in connection with efforts to secure her husband’s release. The allegation is part of the ongoing investigation.
Why was the convict in prison?
Shankar A. was serving a life sentence in a 2001 kidnapping-for-ransom case. His conviction and sentence were upheld by higher courts.
Who allegedly forged the Supreme Court order?
Police have accused prison employee Srikanth S. of creating the forged court document used for the release.
What is the latest legal action?
Somashekar was arrested on 4 October 2026 and remanded to police custody for questioning. The investigation into the Bengaluru prison forged order case is ongoing.
