Mobile Phone Seized from Prajwal Revanna's Cell at Parappana Agrahara

Central Crime Branch (CCB) officials seized an Android mobile phone and other prohibited electronic items from the prison cell of former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna inside the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru during a surprise search on August 11. The discovery has prompted a fresh criminal case and administrative action against prison staff.

Following the raid, the Parappana Agrahara police registered FIR No. 319/2026 under Section 42 of the Karnataka Prisons (Amendment) Act, 2022, and Section 323 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The complaint names Prajwal Revanna, who is serving a life sentence for rape, and undertrial prisoner Prathap Rai as the accused.

Director General of Prisons Alok Kumar confirmed the seizure of the Android phone and stated that Assistant Superintendent Iranna Rangapur has been suspended for dereliction of duty. Furthermore, a show cause notice was issued to the Superintendent of Police, Bengaluru Central Prison, and a detailed inquiry was ordered into how the contraband reached the inmates.

According to the complaint filed by M.L. Subramanya Swamy, Police Inspector at the CCB Narcotics Control Bureau, officials inspected the prison's security sections between 2:05 pm and 9:00 pm. In Room No. 4 on the first floor of Security Section 3, search teams recovered a light-blue Redmi 5G mobile phone, a white charger, a blue electronic notebook, and a black SanDisk pen drive.

When questioned by officials, Prathap Rai claimed ownership of the mobile phone, charger, and pen drive, stating he used the device to contact his lawyer and relatives. Prajwal Revanna claimed ownership of the electronic notebook and acknowledged borrowing the phone from Rai to contact his relatives and attorney.

Investigators found that the seized smartphone had several applications installed, including WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, and Prime Video. The applications were password-protected, and both inmates told officials they did not know the passwords to unlock them.

The search was part of a broader five-hour operation targeting high-profile prisoners after senior police officials ordered comprehensive checks for unauthorized mobile phones, narcotics, and other prohibited items. An earlier search conducted by prison authorities in the same barrack on August 6 had yielded no contraband.