Chanchalguda Jail to celebrate 150 years in Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: Chanchalguda Jail to mark 150 years of history built during Nizam rule in 1876, the Hyderabad prison once held freedom fighters, political leaders and top industrialists
One of the oldest prisons in the country, Chanchalguda Jail, is preparing to celebrate its 150th anniversary. The facility was built in 1876 during the reign of the sixth Nizam, Mir Mahbub Ali Khan, by chief architect Nawab Khan Bahadur Mirza Akbar Baig, and was originally named Nizam-ul-Mulk Central Jail. Spread over 49.32 acres at the time, the prison was designed to hold around 1,000 inmates in 23 barracks. It now occupies about 30 acres. Over the past decade, the jail has undergone major modernisation at a cost of several crores of rupees. Its current capacity is 1,200, but on most days, the number of inmates exceeds 1,500. The premises also house the Women’s Central Jail.
From freedom fighters to politicians
Chanchalguda has housed not only hardened criminals but also several leaders of public movements. During the 1930s and 1940s, many anti-Nizam activists, including Telangana rebel leader Doddi Komarayya, were imprisoned here.
Former Governor Bandaru Dattatreya once recalled that he was jailed here for nearly a year during the Emergency. The facility also serves as a remand prison for accused in Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) cases.
Revanth Reddy, Jagan Mohan Reddy among inmates
Several well-known politicians and businessmen have spent time in this jail. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy was lodged here for a few days in the “cash-for-vote” case. Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, along with Y.V. Subba Reddy and others, spent around 16 months in remand in a disproportionate assets case.
Mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy, industrialists and former bureaucrats were also held here during investigation in various CBI cases. Notable prisoners include Satyam founder Ramalinga Raju, Krishi Bank chairman Kosaraju Venkateswara Rao, fake stamp paper scam accused Abdul Karim Telgi, and Mumbai don Abu Salem.
