Video Shows Prajwal Revanna Using Mobile Phone Inside Bengaluru Prison Cell

A video shows Prajwal Revanna using a mobile phone inside his prison cell

BENGALURU: A video purportedly showing convicted former MP Prajwal Revanna casually chatting on a mobile phone inside his prison cell has raised fresh questions over security and access to prohibited items at Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara Central Prison. Revanna is seen wearing civilian clothes while using the phone inside the cell. The video comes shortly after a Central Crime Branch (CCB) raid at the high-security prison led to the recovery of a 5G smartphone, charger, pen drive and other items from the cell shared by Revanna and another inmate, Prathap Rai.

Prajwal Revanna seen chatting on phone inside jail cell

In the video, Revanna can be seen inside the prison cell and engaged in what appears to be a casual conversation over a mobile phone. The footage also shows him in civilian clothes, adding to questions about the circumstances in which the video was recorded and how a mobile phone allegedly reached a high-security prison cell. The recovery has already triggered a departmental inquiry by prison authorities.

5G phone with WhatsApp, Instagram, Netflix found in raid

A surprise CCB raid involving nearly 100 personnel was conducted at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison. Officials recovered a Redmi 5G smartphone, charger, pen drive and a scribbling pad from the cell on the first floor of security section 3. According to the complaint, the phone had applications including WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. The apps were reportedly password-protected, and officials said neither inmate disclosed the passwords during questioning. During the inquiry, Prathap allegedly told officials that the phone, charger and pen drive belonged to him and that he used the phone to contact his relatives and lawyer. Revanna also reportedly said he had used the same phone to contact his family and lawyer. The recovery has prompted prison authorities to examine how the prohibited device entered the jail and whether prison personnel were involved. The raid lasted several hours, with the high-security section searched from around 2pm to 9pm. Authorities are examining CCTV footage and gathering further details as part of the inquiry. A case has been registered against Revanna and Prathap under provisions relating to prohibited articles inside prisons. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Electronics City) M Narayana said: “A special team has been formed to investigate the case. We have obtained permission from the court to interrogate Prajwal and Pratap.”

Prison official suspended after phone recovery

The incident 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 issued a show-cause notice. DGP (Prisons and Correctional Services) Alok Kumar said, "The concerned assistant superintendent has been placed under suspension on the report of DIG South and a show-cause notice has been issued to the SP Bangalore Central Prison. A detailed enquiry is being conducted in this incident." The development has raised further questions because prison authorities had searched Revanna's barrack on August 6 and reported finding no contraband, while the subsequent CCB raid resulted in the recovery of the phone and other prohibited items. Revanna, 34, is serving a life sentence at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison after being convicted in 2025 for repeatedly raping a 47-year-old domestic worker. The conviction was the first verdict in the three rape cases and one sexual harassment case registered against the former Hassan MP. The latest video and the recovery of the mobile phone have now brought renewed scrutiny on prison security and the manner in which prohibited devices allegedly reached the cell.