Bengaluru, August 13, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Karnataka Police Department has constituted a special team headed by a Deputy Inspector General (DIG)-rank officer to investigate how a mobile phone allegedly reached the prison cell of former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, who is serving a life sentence in a rape case.
Director General of Police (Prisons) Alok Kumar confirmed that the probe will be headed by DIG Prisons and Reforms Jinendra Khanagavi. The team will determine how the phone entered the prison, who may have handed it over to Revanna, how long he had access to it and whether any prison officials were involved.
The inquiry will also examine how mobile phones are reaching prisoners despite security measures, including mobile phone jammers. The reported presence of SIM cards originating from Andhra Pradesh inside the prison will also be investigated.
The development follows Revanna’s transfer from a VIP cell to a regular cell housing other convicted prisoners after a mobile phone was reportedly recovered from his cell at Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison.
A purported 17-second video showing Revanna allegedly speaking on a mobile phone inside his cell has also surfaced on social media. The authenticity of the footage has not been independently verified, and prison authorities have not officially commented on it. In the video, he is purportedly seen wearing coloured clothes instead of the prescribed prison uniform and speaking on a phone inside a cell fitted with a ceiling fan.
The Central Crime Branch (CCB) recently raided the prison and reportedly recovered more than 10 mobile phones. Items allegedly recovered from Revanna’s cell included a blue Redmi 5G phone, charger, blue pocket notebook and black SanDisk pen drive. Police reportedly found obscene videos on the phone and pen drive, besides several OTT applications on the mobile phone.
Revanna, the son of former JD(S) minister H.D. Revanna, grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and nephew of Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, had been housed in the VIP section along with undertrial prisoner Prathap Rai, who was arrested in a POCSO case and was reportedly assisting him.
Home Minister Priyank Kharge said he had personally ordered the CCB raid after obtaining approval from the Chief Minister. He said the decision followed lapses he had noticed during a visit to the prison and added that officials found facilitating irregularities would face suspension.
Prison authorities have already taken disciplinary action. Assistant Superintendent Eeranna has been suspended, while Jail Superintendent Anshukumar has been served a show-cause notice.
The latest probe will also examine possible collusion or negligence among prison personnel and establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged use of the mobile phone.
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