Netflix, Instagram, WhatsApp and Prime Video were among applications found on a mobile phone seized from former MP Prajwal Revanna during a Central Crime Branch raid at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, where he is serving a life sentence.
The applications were installed on a light blue Redmi 5G handset recovered from Room 4 on the first floor of Security Section 3 during a search conducted between 2 pm and 9 pm on Tuesday. The apps were password protected, and both Revanna and fellow inmate Pratap Rai told the search team that they did not know the passwords, the FIR registered over the matter said.
The phone was accompanied by a white charger, a blue pocket notebook and a black SanDisk pen drive. The room was occupied by Revanna and Rai, an undertrial prisoner.
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While the phone was recovered from Revannna, officials said Rai told them that the phone, charger and pen drive belonged to him and that he used the handset to speak to his relatives and lawyer. Revanna also told the team that he had used Rai’s phone to call his relatives and lawyer. He claimed the notebook belonged to him.
{{/usCountry}}While the phone was recovered from Revannna, officials said Rai told them that the phone, charger and pen drive belonged to him and that he used the handset to speak to his relatives and lawyer. Revanna also told the team that he had used Rai’s phone to call his relatives and lawyer. He claimed the notebook belonged to him.
{{/usCountry}}The CCB seized all four items and lodged a complaint against the two inmates under provisions of the Karnataka Prisons (Amendment) Act, 2022, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The complaint alleges that prohibited articles were brought into the prison without authorisation and used by the inmates.
DGP Prison and Correctional Services Alok Kumar said the raid covered high profile prisoners and lasted about four to five hours. He said another mobile phone was found in Rai’s possession. “Yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon, a raid was conducted by CCB on all the high profile prisoners. An Android phone has been seized from Prajwal Revanna’s possession,” Kumar said.
Police are examining CCTV footage and collecting further information before issuing notices and taking additional action. “A detailed enquiry is being conducted into this incident,” Kumar said.
Kumar said the Assistant Superintendent concerned had been suspended following a report from the DIG, South, while a show cause notice was issued to the superintendent of Bengaluru Central Prison. “CCB has lodged the complaint with Parappana Agrahara Police Station, and registration of an FIR is in progress,” Kumar said.
The seizure has also led to action against prison officials. Assistant Superintendent Iranna Rangapur was suspended for alleged dereliction of duty, while the superintendent of Bengaluru Central Prison was served a show cause notice.
Home minister Priyank Kharge said he had visited Parappana Agrahara Central Prison two to three weeks earlier and noticed lapses during his inspection. He said he discussed them with regional officials before obtaining chief minister D K Shivakumar’s permission for the raid.
He said similar searches would be conducted across the state. “Whether it is Kalaburagi, Belagavi, Bengaluru or any other prison, we will take strict action. We will keep doing this,” said the minister.
He said officials continuing to follow “old practices” would be identified and face legal action. If any official was found involved in criminal activity, the government would consider dismissal from service.
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.