Mobile phone seized from former MP Prajwal Revanna's prison cell, officials suspended

Bengaluru: A mobile phone and other electronic devices were found during a surprise inspection of the prison cell of Prajwal Revanna, former MP from Hassan, at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison here on August 11. Revanna is serving a life sentence in a sexual assault case.

The seizure was made by a team from the Central Crime Branch (CCB) during a coordinated search of the prison complex. Along with the phone, officials recovered a charger, an electronic notebook, and a pen drive from the barrack occupied by Revanna and another prisoner, Prathap Rai.

According to the complaint filed by Police Inspector M.L. Subramanya Swamy of the CCB, the search was carried out between 2.05 pm and 9 pm following directions to detect and seize unauthorised mobile phones, narcotics, and other prohibited articles. The items were found in Security Section 3, first floor, Room No. 4.

The phone, a light-blue Redmi 5G device with two IMEI numbers, was found to contain social media and streaming applications such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Netflix, and Prime Video. These applications were password-protected, and both inmates told officials they did not know the passwords.

When questioned, Prathap Rai, an undertrial prisoner, reportedly claimed ownership of the phone, charger, and pen drive, stating he used the phone occasionally to contact relatives and his lawyer. Prajwal Revanna, on the other hand, said he had borrowed the phone from Rai for the same purpose. He reportedly identified the electronic notebook as his own.

The discovery has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of security measures inside the high-security prison. Sources said a search conducted on August 6 had not detected any contraband, making the August 11 seizure noteworthy.

Following the incident, Director General of Prisons Alok Kumar announced that Assistant Superintendent Iranna Rangapur has been suspended for dereliction of duty. A show cause notice has also been issued to the Superintendent of Police, Bengaluru Central Prison. A detailed inquiry has been ordered.

The CCB has lodged a complaint with the Parappana Agrahara police station, and an FIR has been registered under Section 42 of the Karnataka Prisons (Amendment) Act, 2022, and Section 323 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Both Prajwal Revanna and Prathap Rai have been named as accused in the FIR.

Prajwal Revanna, who represented the Hassan Lok Sabha constituency, was convicted in a sexual assault case and sentenced to life imprisonment. The latest incident has brought renewed attention to allegations of VIP treatment and special facilities for influential inmates at Parappana Agrahara prison, a matter of public concern.

Police said the investigation is ongoing to establish how the prohibited items entered the prison and whether any prison staff were complicit. Authorities have assured that appropriate action will be taken against those found responsible.