Patna: The Bihar government has announced plans to build a high-security jail on a remote, deserted hill, aiming to isolate serious offenders from the outside world in a model reminiscent of the infamous colonial-era “Kalapani” punishment.
Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Samrat Choudhary unveiled the plan during the state budget session on Friday, describing the facility as designed for the “most serious and extremely serious criminals.” According to Choudhary, the prison will have no mobile network or internet access, and a single heavily guarded road will provide the only means of entry or exit.
“There is a lot of drama surrounding the imprisonment of many criminals,” Choudhary told the Bihar Legislative Assembly. “As directed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, we have decided to construct a high-security jail where prisoners will be completely isolated from the outside world.”
No details have yet been released about the location or size of the proposed facility. Bihar currently does not have such a high-security prison, though Bhagalpur Central Jail has been designated a special security facility for notorious criminals.
The term “Kalapani” refers to the Cellular Jail built by the British in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where Indian freedom fighters were kept in solitary confinement under harsh conditions. The name became synonymous with extreme isolation and punishment.
Choudhary also announced that all prisons across Bihar will be monitored online via CCTV, allowing authorities to track visits and maintain detailed records. He added that Bihar is the first state in India where inmates spend significant time on study and education programmes.
