Back
Bengaluru court remands Prajwal Revanna to 2-day over prison phone
In a significant development concerning prison discipline, the in Bengaluru on Tuesday former MP Prajwal Revanna and his former cellmate Prathap Rai to two days of . The order comes in connection with the alleged unauthorised use of a smartphone inside the high-security wing of . Investigators are now set to question both accused to determine how the prohibited device entered the facility and who facilitated its use.
Revanna, who is serving a after being in a rape case, and Rai, an accused in a case, were produced before the court on a obtained by the . The argued that the accused could not be properly interrogated inside the prison and that was essential to uncover the full chain of events.
The Raid and Recovery of
The case stems from a surprise raid conducted by the on . During the search of the high-security cell on the first floor, CCB personnel allegedly recovered a 5G smartphone, a charger, a pen drive, and a scribbling pad. Preliminary examination of the phone revealed that it contained several applications, including WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video. Some videos were also found stored on the device.
The phone was reportedly password-protected, and neither Revanna nor Rai disclosed the passwords during initial questioning. The scribbling pad, which Revanna claimed belonged to him, contained handwritten phone numbers of family members, friends, and his advocate. Rai, on the other hand, allegedly told prison officials that the mobile phone, charger, and pen drive were his.
The seized items have been sent to the for a detailed examination of the device's call logs, message history, and other digital footprints. Investigators also discovered that the SIM card used in the phone was obtained from Andhra Pradesh, raising further questions about how such reached a high-security cell.
Legal Arguments and Court Order
During the hearing, Assistant Public Prosecutor submitted that prison officials and staff have also been made accused in the case. He argued that the investigation required the accused to be taken into because they could not be adequately interrogated within the prison walls.
"It is necessary to ascertain how a mobile phone, charger, and other articles came into the possession of the accused,"
Rao told the court.
Advocate , appearing for Revanna, opposed the plea. He pointed out that the station is located directly opposite the prison, less than 500 metres away, and argued that police could easily conduct the investigation on prison premises without taking Revanna into custody.
After hearing both sides, the court directed that Revanna and Rai be to for two days. The matter is scheduled for the next hearing on .
What Police Hope to Uncover
With Revanna and Rai now in their custody, the are expected to conduct a sustained interrogation aimed at mapping the entire network that enabled the smartphone to enter the prison. Key questions include:
- Who supplied the phone and other items?
- How were these items smuggled past multiple layers of security?
- Were any prison personnel complicit in the operation?
- Whom did Revanna contact using the phone, and for what purposes?
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Electronic City) M Narayana confirmed that the accused had been taken into custody and that the inquiry was ongoing. A senior officer elaborated,
"We will be questioning Prajwal and Pratap about who and when provided the phone and other seized items to them, how they had been using them, and the role of prison personnel who helped smuggle the
inside."
The investigation also aims to establish the ownership of the pen drive and to trace the origin of the scribbled phone numbers. The police are expected to verify whether any calls were made to or from the recovered device and whether the phone was used to coordinate with Revanna's family, lawyers, or any external parties.
Allegations of VIP Treatment and Official Accountability
The recovery of a smartphone from Revanna’s cell has sparked allegations that the former MP was receiving special treatment inside the prison. Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge stated that the raid was conducted on his direction after obtaining permission from Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
"We will not allow any inmate to get VIP treatment inside prison,"
Kharge asserted.
In response to the incident, several prison officials have been suspended for . The Home Minister’s remarks underscore the government’s intent to enforce uniform discipline across all correctional facilities, regardless of an inmate’s previous political or social standing.
Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and son of JD(S) MLA H D Revanna, was in of raping a former house help at a farmhouse in Holenarasipura, Hassan district. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined ₹10 lakh, with ₹7 lakh ordered as compensation for the survivor. Three other rape cases are still pending trial against him.
Legal Implications and Precedent
The case highlights the persistent challenge of smuggling inside high-security prisons across India. Despite multiple layers of checks, mobile phones and other prohibited items continue to find their way into the hands of convicts and undertrials, often enabling them to continue criminal activities from behind bars.
For legal professionals, the present case underscores the importance of thorough internal investigations within correctional facilities and the need for improved surveillance and accountability mechanisms. The court’s decision to grant reflects a recognition that is sometimes necessary to unearth the truth, especially when prison staff may be complicit.
Moreover, the inclusion of prison officials as accused sends a strong signal that any deviation from established protocols will be met with . This could prompt prison administrations nationwide to tighten security protocols and conduct frequent, unannounced inspections.
Conclusion
As Prajwal Revanna and Prathap Rai spend the next two days in , the investigation is poised to reveal critical details about the security breach at Bengaluru’s central prison. The outcome may lead to further arrests, stricter prison regulations, and a renewed focus on combating the menace of in correctional facilities. The next court hearing on will be closely watched as the probe unfolds and the legal process moves forward.
