Kolkata: Prisoners charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) or under various sections of the anti-terror laws or for waging war against the state are no longer able to make phone calls to their family members, friends, lawyers and human rights activists after the govt issued a circular that curbed their right to make phone calls.Prison officials claimed these strict measures were introduced from Aug 30, 2026, after cellphones and other electronic items were recovered from the cell of Aftab Ansari, who is currently serving a life sentence in the American Centre attack case.Those prohibited from making phone calls to their family members or lawyers include all political prisoners detained on suspicion of being Maoists, as well as prisoners detained as terrorists. All categories of prisoners were previously allowed to make phone calls from the prison phone booths at their own expense to three pre-registered phone numbers.“The withdrawal of the phone facility has completely isolated these prisoners from the outside world, including their families and lawyers. This decision of the govt has generated intense dissatisfaction and anger among the prisoners and their families,” said APDR vice-president Ranjit Sur.Activists point out that in the absence of cellphones, many families are unable to keep in touch with prisoners, many of whom are lodged in prisons that are far from their homes. For instance, Narayan Mahato is a resident of Purulia, but is detained in Dum Dum Central Correctional Home. Arnab Dam’s home is in Garia, but he is detained in Bardhaman Jail. Mansaram Hembram’s home is in Medinipur, but he is detained in Kolkata’s Presidency Jail. Barring a few exceptions, the vast majority are kept in prisons far away from their homes.Dibakar Mahato, son of Narayan Mahato, who is in Dum Dum Jail on charges of political murder, pointed out that ever since the telephone call facility was withdrawn, he has been unable to keep in touch with his father.Under the circular (2786-IGP-2026) issued by the IG of Correctional Services on Aug 29, 2026, the provision or denial of telephone facilities has been left to the discretion of the Jail Superintendent for prisoners accused of heinous crimes.Reacting to the curbs imposed due to the discovery of gadgets and phones from Ansari’s cell, activists point out that if a specific prisoner violates prison rules, the prison authorities can take action against that individual. “Stripping everyone of their rights for the crime of one individual is medieval barbarism. The telephone facility must not be snatched away from anyone, as the telephone is a vital lifeline for prisoners,” said Sur.Calcutta High Court lawyer Kaushik Gupta said the circular can be challenged through a writ petition as the right to keep in touch with family members and friends is part of the right to life guaranteed under the Constitution. The contact with family and friends is also part of the rehabilitation process. “Moreover, the right to representation is also a constitutional right. Hence, a prisoner cannot be denied the right to speak to his/her lawyer,” he said.
