Bengaluru: JD(S) MLA H D Revanna has called for an investigation by the Karnataka government after his son and former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, who is serving a life sentence following his rape conviction, was reportedly found using a smartphone and wearing civilian clothes inside Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison. The development has triggered questions over prison security and the alleged preferential treatment of a high-profile inmate.
Prajwal Revanna was reportedly found with an unauthorised smartphone during a prison search, while footage that has surfaced shows him in civilian clothes inside his cell and apparently speaking on a mobile phone. A prison official has since been suspended over alleged dereliction of duty.
Revanna calls for government investigation
Reacting to the controversy, H D Revanna said the Congress government should investigate the circumstances under which his son was allegedly able to use a smartphone inside the prison.
The statement comes amid growing scrutiny of security arrangements at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, particularly after a video showing Prajwal using a mobile phone emerged publicly.
The issue is not limited to the possession of a mobile phone. The reported presence of an unauthorised smartphone inside a prison raises questions about how the device entered the facility, how it remained undetected and whether prison officials were aware of its use.
Prajwal seen in civilian clothes
A video that has emerged in connection with the controversy reportedly shows Prajwal Revanna wearing civilian clothes and casually speaking on a mobile phone inside his prison cell.
The footage has added to concerns over whether prison rules were being enforced uniformly.
According to reports, authorities subsequently recovered a 5G smartphone from his barrack. The device was reportedly capable of accessing applications including WhatsApp, Instagram and Netflix.
The discovery has prompted further questions about the security checks conducted inside the prison and the monitoring of inmates’ access to prohibited electronic devices.
Prison official suspended
The controversy has already resulted in disciplinary action against a prison official.
The Assistant Superintendent, Iranna Rangapur, was reportedly suspended following a report by the Deputy Inspector General of Prisons (South), with alleged dereliction of duty cited in connection with the incident.
The action indicates that authorities are examining the circumstances that allowed the prohibited device to reach Prajwal’s possession.
The investigation could also examine whether the incident was an isolated lapse or whether broader shortcomings exist in prison security and surveillance.
Prajwal serving life sentence
Prajwal Revanna, a former JD(S) MP from Hassan, is serving a life sentence after being convicted in a rape case involving a domestic worker. The conviction was handed down by a special court in Bengaluru in August 2025.
The former MP was one of several accused in the sexual abuse cases that emerged in Karnataka in 2024. The cases led to a major political controversy and a Special Investigation Team probe.
The prison phone controversy has now brought renewed attention to the conditions under which the high-profile convict is being held.
Questions over prison security
The reported smartphone incident has raised broader concerns about the effectiveness of security mechanisms at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison.
Mobile phones and other unauthorised electronic devices are generally prohibited inside prisons because they can potentially be used for unauthorised communication, coordinating activities outside the facility or accessing online services.
The reported discovery of a smartphone therefore raises questions about prison searches, surveillance systems and the movement of prohibited items into the facility.
Reports have also highlighted the broader problem of unauthorised SIM cards and mobile phones being used inside the Bengaluru prison.
Revanna’s response puts focus on accountability
By asking the Congress government to investigate, H D Revanna has shifted attention towards the prison administration and the authorities responsible for maintaining security.
The key questions for investigators include how the phone reached Prajwal, who supplied it, whether prison personnel were involved and whether other inmates have access to similar devices.
An investigation would also be expected to establish whether the civilian clothing seen in the footage was permitted under any specific circumstances or represented another breach of prison regulations.
Broader political scrutiny
The incident has political significance because Prajwal Revanna is a former MP and the son of senior JD(S) leader H D Revanna.
His conviction and the wider sexual abuse cases involving him have already been the subject of intense political debate in Karnataka. The latest prison controversy has added another layer of scrutiny involving the treatment of a high-profile prisoner.
The issue could also renew discussions about whether prison regulations are being implemented consistently for all inmates, regardless of their political background or public profile.
Investigation likely to determine next steps
The recovery of the smartphone and emergence of the video have prompted authorities to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident. A prison official has already faced suspension, while Prajwal has reportedly been moved from his previous accommodation to a general barrack and directed to follow prison rules, including wearing the prescribed uniform.
The exact circumstances of how the phone entered the prison and whether others assisted in making it available to Prajwal will need to be established through an official investigation.
The controversy has once again put prison security and accountability in the spotlight. As H D Revanna has demanded, a detailed probe could establish responsibility for the alleged lapses and determine whether further action is required.