Former MP Prajwal Revanna loses VIP cell privileges after phone, pen drive found in prison

Prajwal Revanna will now live alongside 20 other prisoners and share a single toilet. He has also been ordered to wear the prescribed prison uniform.

Former MP Prajwal Revanna, serving a life sentence in a rape case, lived apart from the ordinary prison population at Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Bengaluru for two years. That cosy arrangement has been snapped.

Prajwal Revanna moved out of VIP cell after CCB finds mobile phone, pen drive containing obscene videos in his Parappana Agrahara barrack. (HT_PRINT)

Revanna has been shifted from the VIP cell to a general cell after a mobile phone and a pen drive were found in his possession during a Central Crime Branch (CCB) raid. The devices were found to contain obscene videos, triggering an inquiry into how they reached his barrack.

What is the ‘VIP cell’?

At Parappana Agrahara, a “VIP cell” has often been referred to as special accommodation for high profile prisoners, with past reports documenting separate living spaces, better furnishings, outside food, private cooking arrangements and relaxed visitor access. The arrangement was not for a separate category of criminals entitled to such privileges; rather, allegations of preferential treatment have repeatedly centred on influential inmates living in the so-called “VIP cell”.

The move means Revanna will now live alongside 20 other prisoners and share a single toilet. He has also been ordered to wear the prescribed prison uniform and report for work in the jail library, according to a senior home department official.

“His earlier accommodation was shared with undertrial prisoner Pratap Roy, arrested in a POCSO case. Roy was described as being like an assistant to Revanna,” the officer, who asked not to be named, said.

Jail officials face action

The change in accommodation followed a series of actions by the prison department. While jail superintendent Anshukumar was asked to explain the lapse, the assistant superintendent Iranna Rangapur was suspended for dereliction of duty.

Prisons and correctional services DGP Alok Kumar also ordered an investigation by a team headed by DIG Jinendra Khangavi. The inquiry will examine how a blue Redmi 5G phone, charger and black Sandisk pen drive entered the prison and whether any officials helped get the devices to Revanna.

“Despite all this security, how did a mobile phone get into the jail? We will investigate whether the officials were involved in this. If the officials were involved, who brought the phone to Prajwal Revanna? How long has he been using the mobile phone? We have also been instructed to find out who is involved in this,” Alok Kumar said.

DGP says Revanna was warned earlier

The DGP said authorities had previously warned Revanna about prison rules. He also said a search of actor Darshan’s cell had found no mobile phone or other devices. “We had warned Prajwal Revanna in advance. We also searched actor Darshan’s cell and no mobile or other devices were found,” he said.

The phone discovery has raised questions about security inside Parappana Agrahara, where jammers have been installed around the prison. Alok Kumar said mobile SIM cards, including Airtel cards issued in Andhra Pradesh, had nevertheless been found inside the jail.

“Airtel company SIMs are being used inside the jail. Especially, Airtel SIMs from Andhra Pradesh have been found, despite many warnings about this, the SIMs are being found. Therefore, an investigation has been conducted into this matter and a report has been submitted,” he said.

Priyank Kharge promises action

Home minister Priyank Kharge said the investigation would determine who was responsible and that action would not depend on an officer’s rank. “Whoever the officer is, action will be taken against him. Whether he is a PC, PSI or ADG, there is no difference,” Kharge said.

“Action should be taken when inappropriate activities take place in prisons. The viral Prajwal video is a bit old, so it is not possible to say who did it, who gave it, or what it was given. But action will be taken against anyone who cooperated,” Kharge said, adding: “No one, from constables to IPS, will be protected in my time.”

HD Revanna puts responsibility on Home Department

Prajwal’s farther and JD(S) leader, H.D. Revanna, asked about the discovery outside Vidhana Soudha, put the responsibility on the state Home Department. “The responsibility of the Home Department lies with Priyank Kharge. His party is in power. Let him conduct the investigation himself,” he said.

Revanna, 36, represented Hassan in the Lok Sabha from 2019 to 2023. He was convicted in August 2025 by the Special Court for People’s Representatives for raping a dometic worker at a farmhouse in Holenarasipura, Hassan district.

Deep Dive

What led to Prajwal Revanna's transfer from a VIP cell to a general cell in prison?

Why are mobile phones a security concern in Parappana Agrahara Central Prison?

How is the prison administration responding to the discovery of contraband items in Revanna's cell?

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