A major development unfolded inside Jaipur Central Jail when a mobile phone was discovered in the possession of former MLA Baljeet Yadav during a rigorous search of ward number 5. The incident took place on Wednesday as prison authorities were conducting a comprehensive search operation to crack down on unauthorized and prohibited items within the premises. According to officials, the phone, manufactured by Catchoda, was cunningly concealed underneath a blanket spread out on the floor. Prison personnel promptly confiscated the device and formally registered a complaint at the Lalkothi police station to initiate legal proceedings.
Call Detail Records to Uncover Contacts
Following the recovery of the mobile phone inside the high-security prison, local law enforcement agencies have launched an intensive probe to determine how the contraband managed to bypass security measures and reach Baljeet Yadav. Investigators are also working to unearth the identities of the individuals who were in touch with him through this device while he remained incarcerated. To piece together this communication network, police are obtaining the Call Detail Records or CDR associated with the seized phone. The analysis of these records is expected to reveal the numbers dialed, received, and the specific individuals who remained connected with the inmate during his time inside.
Phones Recovered From Other Inmates As Well
This incident is not an isolated one, as ongoing raids revealed that mobile phones were recovered from a total of 8 inmates during the administrative sweeps. Furthermore, another search operation was conducted inside the Central Jail on Thursday, yielding additional mobile phone recoveries. Just two days prior to these operations, prison officials had seized 13 mobile phones during a separate crackdown. Formal criminal cases have been registered against the respective accused individuals in connection with these ongoing seizures. The recurrent discovery of mobile devices has raised serious questions regarding the overall security apparatus and internal management of the prison. Determining how these prohibited gadgets continue to infiltrate the facility and who assists inmates in smuggling them remains a core focus of the police investigation.
Alleged Misuse of MLA-LAD Funds
Baljeet Yadav is currently lodged in judicial custody in connection with an alleged financial embezzlement and misuse of the MLA-LAD fund. The case stems from the procurement of sports equipment, specifically badminton and cricket kits, intended for 32 government schools located within the Behror assembly constituency. According to allegations, the sports gear was purchased at heavily inflated prices far exceeding the standard market value, resulting in a direct financial loss to the state exchequer. The total scam is estimated to involve approximately 3.72 crores rupees in irregular expenditures. It is further alleged that the procurement cost shown in the records was two to three times higher than the actual market price. Based on these irregularities, the Anti-Corruption Bureau had registered a case against Baljeet Yadav on 12 December 2024.
Enforcement Directorate Expands Probe
Following the initial anticorruption proceedings, the Enforcement Directorate also stepped in to investigate the financial aspects of the case. The central agency arrested Baljeet Yadav on 3 February 2026 and subjected him to custodial interrogation. Upon the conclusion of his remand period, he was sent back to judicial custody on 7 February by a special court order. The recent discovery of the mobile phone inside his jail ward has added a fresh layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation. Authorities are determined to ascertain how the device was utilized behind bars and identify the network of people maintaining contact with him. Further clarity is expected once the police conclude their technical examination of the CDR and complete the formal questioning process.
