On September 12, 2026, the Mangaluru Bar Association called on state officials to eliminate the mobile‑phone jammer operating at Mangaluru Central Prison, saying the device has crippled mobile service for the court complex and nearby establishments for two years.
Association president Jagadish K. Shenava explained that lawyers, litigants, court staff and the public repeatedly face dropped calls and delayed messages, hampering urgent communication and routine court work. Schools, colleges and training centres that share the neighbourhood also report disrupted connectivity for teachers and students.
Hotels, lodges and small businesses near the courthouse complain of lost bookings and slowed operations because customers cannot reach them. While the prison administration argues that the jammer deters illegal phone use inside the facility, Shenava argued that a blanket signal block that spills over into the city is unacceptable.
The bar body cited a recent police sweep that uncovered about ten mobile phones inside the prison, underscoring the need for targeted security rather than a city‑wide blackout. It urged the government to adopt a technically sound solution that confines the
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📰 Source: Mangalore Today