Published Aug 13, 2026 | 9:54 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 13, 2026 | 9:56 PM
Prajwal Revanna.
Synopsis: Social media and streaming apps were found on a smartphone, which along with a pen drive and other electronic contraband were seized from the cell of former MP and rape convict Prajwal Revanna during a search at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru. Unconfirmed reports suggest pornographic material was also present on the devices seized. Assistant Superintendent Iranna Rangapur was suspended for dereliction of duty.
A smartphone, a pen drive and other electronic items were seized from the cell occupied by former MP and rape convict Prajwal Revanna and undertrial prisoner Prathap Rai during a Central Crime Branch (CCB) search at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru on Tuesday, 11 August.
The phone had WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video installed. The applications were password-protected, and both prisoners told the officials that they did not know the passwords. Unconfirmed reports have suggested that around 90 pornographic videos were also found on the devices seized.
Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, is serving a life sentence in the first of four sexual assault cases against him. The charges arose from allegations of repeated rape and sexual exploitation of a domestic help at his residence during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021.
During questioning, Rai reportedly told the investigators that the phone, charger and pen drive belonged to him, while Revanna said the notebook was his. The former JD(S) leader also admitted to investigators that he had borrowed Rai’s phone to make calls to his relatives and lawyers.
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The seizure has led to the suspension of Assistant Superintendent Iranna Rangapur for alleged dereliction of duty and an FIR against Revanna and Rai under Section 42 of the Karnataka Prisons (Amendment) Act, 2022, and Section 323 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. A show-cause notice has also been issued to the Superintendent of Bangalore Central Prison, while a detailed departmental inquiry is underway. Investigators are examining how the prohibited devices entered the high-security prison.
The search was conducted from 2.05 pm to 9 pm on Tuesday. The CCB team recovered a light-blue Redmi 5G smartphone, a white charger, a blue pocket notebook and a black SanDisk pen drive from Room 4 on the first floor of Security Section 3.
The contents of the phone and the other seized electronic items are being examined. Forensic analysis is expected to establish what the devices contained and how they were used.
According to DGP Prisons Alok Kumar, the CCB search covered high-profile prisoners as well as other inmates in the high-security prison and lasted around four to five hours. No other contraband was found during the operation, he said.
