Karnataka High Court Directs Optimisation Of Mangaluru Jail Jammers Over Disruption Of Connectivity To Nearby District Court

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday asked M/s Telecommunications Consultants India Limited, a wholly owned Government of India Undertaking, to optimise the output power of jammers installed inside the district jail at Mangaluru, which is blocking/interrupting telecommunication channels and internet facility, within the district court premises, which is within 1 km of the prison.

Justice Suraj Govindaraj, while hearing the petition filed by Mangalore Bar Association, noted that a report of the Ministry of Communication Wireless Monitoring Organisation, dated 26-11, 2025, has been filed. A perusal of the said report would indicate that inside the prison premises the jammer signal strength is approximately -70dBm (Decibel Milliwatts). However, the said suppression has crossed the boundary of the prison premises and at 900 meters the jammer strength is -80 dBm and upto 2.5 km it is -100 dBm.

The court recorded that “The report categorically indicates that the jammer signal extending beyond intended coverage area and has such recommended the technical parameters of the jammer be reassessed and optimised, including the output power and height/orientation of the jammer antennas, so that the signal range remains strictly confined within the jail premises and that they do not affect the telecom services provided to the public in surrounding areas of the prison.”

On enquiry made by the court it was informed that it is M/s Telecommunications Consultants India Limited who is the service provider who is a wholly owned Government of India entity who is to optimise the output power of the jammers.

Following which the court made the entity as a party respondent to the proceedings and issuing notice to it said, “In that view the entity is brought on record as R5. Advocate Ajay Prabhu accepts notice for R5. He seeks for and is granted a week's time to instruct TCIL to comply with the requirement of the study report submitted by the Ministry of Communications, a copy of which is furnished to him by AGA. Relist on December 9.”

The plea seeks to declare that the action of respondents in installation of jammers in prison resulting in blocking/interruption of the telecommunication channels and internet facility within the district court premises at Mangalore and other areas outside the precincts of the prison is arbitrary and illegal and consequently direct the respondents to remove the such jammers/devices which affect the communication channel in the district court complex and restore the internet services forthwith.

Further, to remove all the obstacles/obstructions/interference and ensure the availability of internet services/connectivity in the district court complex to enable the petitioners no.2,3 and other members of petitioner no.1 association to access the uninterrupted and quality internet services within the precincts of the District court complex at Mangalore.

By way of interim relief, it is sought to remove the jammers affecting the communication and internet services in the precincts of the district court complex, Mangalore, forthwith in the interest of justice and equity.

Case Title: Mangalore Bar Association & Others AND State of Karnataka & Others

Case No: WP 13624/2025