THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In order to put a hold on investigation agencies in the state jails, the jail department has issued a circular. Jail DGP Rishiraj Singh's circular says that only agencies that can do video recordings of their interrogations should be given permission to do so.

It is explained that the new circular comes in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling. The circular was given to superintendents of state prisons. As per the circular, the interrogations of various investigative agencies should be video graphed and stored for 18 months. The voice message of Swapna Suresh, the accused in the gold smuggling case, that she is being pressurized by ED to speak against the CM had sparked a major row. Investigative agencies have grilled Swapna several times after this and five-layer security was arranged for her.

A video recording system for questioning in jail is already in place. Though these video recordings, which are kept in store by jail authorities, are not directed to be handed over to investigative agencies. Footage recorded by agencies need not be handed over to the jail department as well.

There is no system for video recording in small jails. Therefore, as per the jail authorities, agencies should come with a recording system of their own in order to gain entry for interrogations.