Prajwal Revanna: Bengaluru Court Orders Prison Mobile Phone Custody

• Former MP Prajwal Revanna was sent to two-day police custody by a Bengaluru court on Tuesday.
• The custody order stems from allegations of mobile phone use inside Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, where he is serving a life sentence for rape.
• A Central Crime Branch raid on August 11 recovered a Redmi 5G smartphone, a blue packet notebook, a charger, and a SanDisk pen drive from his high-security barrack.
• Police registered a case against Revanna under Section 323 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for fraudulent concealment of property and under the Karnataka Prisons Act.
• The prosecution alleges the phone was used to communicate with family and lawyers, with the SIM card procured from Andhra Pradesh.

The police have registered a case against Prajwal Revanna under Section 323 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to fraudulent concealment of property.

A Bengaluru court on Tuesday ordered former Member of Parliament Prajwal Revanna into police custody for two days. This decision by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Sandeep Patil follows allegations that Revanna used a mobile phone while incarcerated at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, where he is serving a life sentence for a rape conviction handed down in August 2025. The court's directive came after considering arguments from both the prosecution and the defense regarding the serious nature of the alleged infraction.

The current investigation was initiated after a raid conducted by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) on August 11. During this operation, authorities reportedly discovered mobile phones and various other digital devices within Revanna's high-security barrack. Specifically, the CCB recovered a Redmi 5G smartphone, a blue packet notebook, a charger, and a SanDisk pen drive. Revanna, who represented the Hassan parliamentary constituency from 2019 to 2023, allegedly claimed ownership of the notebook found among the items.

Further examination by the police revealed that the recovered smartphone contained several popular applications, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Netflix, and Prime Video. The device was password-protected and has since been dispatched to a Forensic Science Laboratory for a thorough analysis. Prosecutors contend that the mobile phone was being utilized to facilitate communication between Revanna and his family members and legal counsel, with the SIM card reportedly procured from Andhra Pradesh.

The police have registered a case against Prajwal Revanna under Section 323 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to fraudulent concealment of property. This charge highlights the serious legal ramifications associated with possessing prohibited items within a correctional facility, especially under newer legislative frameworks. Additionally, charges have been filed under the Karnataka Prisons Act, specifically addressing the unauthorized use of mobile phones within prison premises, a strict violation of established correctional regulations.

This incident underscores the stringent rules governing inmate conduct and the prohibition of communication devices in prisons. The introduction of statutes like BNS Section 323 provides law enforcement with additional tools to prosecute individuals who attempt to circumvent prison security measures by concealing contraband. The alleged use of a mobile phone by an inmate, particularly one in a high-security barrack, represents a significant breach of prison protocols designed to maintain order and prevent external communication.

The case involving Prajwal Revanna's alleged mobile phone use in custody at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison carries significant implications for prison security and the enforcement of legal statutes. It demonstrates the ongoing challenges faced by correctional authorities in preventing the entry and use of prohibited items, even in high-security environments. The fact that a former Member of Parliament, already serving a life sentence, is facing new charges for such an offense brings heightened scrutiny to the prison system.

This development serves as a stark reminder that all inmates, regardless of their past status or the nature of their primary conviction, are subject to strict adherence to prison regulations. The application of BNS Section 323 in this context highlights the evolving legal landscape and the severe consequences for attempting to conceal property within a prison. The investigation into how the mobile phone and other digital devices entered the facility, and their alleged use, will likely inform future security enhancements and enforcement strategies within Karnataka's correctional institutions.

This case highlights the strict enforcement of prison regulations regarding prohibited items, particularly mobile phones, and the potential for additional criminal charges under new statutes like BNS Section 323. Lawyers advising clients in correctional facilities or dealing with digital evidence from such environments should note the implications for compliance and potential legal exposure.

Source: Original reporting via Times of India