Kannur (Kerala) | Police have launched an investigation after a mobile phone concealed inside a bottle was recovered from the premises of Kannur Central Jail, officials said on Sunday.

The Kannur Town Police registered a case following a complaint from the Prison Department and commenced an investigation.

According to police, prison officials conducted a surprise inspection on the jail premises on Saturday afternoon.

As part of the inspection, they examined the area around the fifth block and a newly constructed toilet.

During the search, officials noticed a patch of dug-up earth near the toilet and suspected that something had been concealed there.

On digging the spot, they recovered a bottle containing a mobile phone, SIM card, earphones, a charging cable and a power bank, police said.

Although prison authorities questioned inmates following the recovery, they were unable to identify the person who had concealed the items, officials said.

Subsequently, a complaint was lodged with the police, leading to the registration of a case and the launch of an investigation, officials said.

The case has been registered under the Kerala Prisons and Correctional Services (Management) Act for the illegal possession of electronic communication equipment inside a prison.

In recent months, several similar incidents, including the seizure of narcotic substances and other prohibited items, have been reported from Kannur Central Jail, officials added.