Published Sep 11, 2026 | 5:37 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 11, 2026 | 5:37 PM
Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison
Synopsis: According to reports, mobile phones were allegedly being supplied inside the prison for up to ₹1 lakh, while SIM cards were allegedly being sold for around ₹50,000, raising questions over how prohibited communication devices are entering the high-security prison and whether insiders are facilitating their supply.
Fresh scrutiny has fallen on security inside Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison amid allegations of an illegal mobile-phone supply racket alongside a police probe into how prohibited devices reached inmates.
According to reports, mobile phones were allegedly being supplied inside the prison for up to ₹1 lakh, while SIM cards were allegedly being sold for around ₹50,000, raising questions over how prohibited communication devices are entering the high-security prison and whether insiders are facilitating their supply.
Separately, Bengaluru police have detained seven people in connection with the investigation into how former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna allegedly obtained and used a mobile phone inside the prison. Police are probing the supply chain and the role of those who may have helped move the devices into the jail.
Also Read: WhatsApp, Instagram, Netflix on phone seized from Prajwal Revanna’s cell; Prison official suspended
Bengaluru court on Tuesday, September 8, remanded Prajwal Revanna and co-accused Pratap to two days’ police custody in connection with the alleged unauthorised use of a mobile phone inside the prison.
The order was passed by the 42nd ACMM court after investigators sought custody to determine how the phone entered the prison, who supplied it and whether others helped facilitate its use.
The case stems from a Central Crime Branch raid on August 11, during which a Redmi 5G mobile phone, charger, pen drive and notebook were recovered from the room where former MP Prajwal Revanna and undertrial prisoner Prathap Rai were lodged.
Reports say the handset contained apps including WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Netflix and Amazon Prime, and investigators found indications that it had been used to communicate with family members and lawyers.
The phone and other electronic items have been sent for forensic examination, with investigators probing their contents and usage.
In the FIR registered over the alleged illegal use of the phone, Pratap has been named A1 and Prajwal Revanna A2.
According to DGP Prisons Alok Kumar, no other contraband was found during the operation.
The incident has triggered disciplinary action inside the prison department. Assistant Superintendent Iranna Rangapur has been suspended for alleged dereliction of duty, while a show-cause notice has been issued to the Superintendent of Bangalore Central Prison. A detailed departmental inquiry is underway.
The FIR also raised questions over prison security, as authorities had reportedly searched Revanna’s barrack on August 6 but did not recover any prohibited items at the time.
The developments add to continuing concerns over repeated seizures of mobile phones and other prohibited items from Parappana Agrahara and the effectiveness of internal prison security.
(With inputs from Keerthivas)
