Manipur: Jail warder arrested for running mobile phone and UPI racket for inmates

Imphal: Manipur Police have arrested Sahid Shah (35), a warder at the Manipur Central Jail in Sajiwa, Imphal East district. He is accused of running a racket that supplied mobile phones to inmates and facilitated their unauthorized use.

Shah, a resident of Kairang Mayai Leikai in Imphal East district, was produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court in Imphal East on February 19, 2026.

A state Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) submitted a report stating that the accused was arrested on February 18 for allegedly helping inmates, including those booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), use mobile phones illegally. Several mobile phones and SIM cards were seized from Shah.

The APP said that during interrogation, the accused confessed to the charges against him. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that inmates had made financial transactions from within the prison premises using the warder’s UPI account. The prosecution sought police custody to investigate his full involvement and identify other individuals involved in the case. After hearing arguments, the court remanded the accused to judicial custody until February 25th.