Bengaluru: A surprise raid at the Central Prison in Parappana Agrahara on Tuesday afternoon has once again brought convicted former MP Prajwal Revanna, grandson of former PM H D Deve Gowda, under scrutiny after officials allegedly recovered a 5G smartphone loaded with social media and OTT applications from the high-security cell he shared with another inmate, Prathap Rai.A senior prison official has been suspended for dereliction of duty.According to the complaint, the Redmi 5G phone contained several applications, including WhatsApp, FB, Instagram, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, among other OTT platforms. Officials said the apps were password-protected, and neither inmate disclosed the passwords during questioning.The raid, conducted by nearly 100 personnel from the Central Crime Branch (CCB), resulted in the seizure of the Redmi 5G smartphone, a charger, a pen drive and a scribbling pad from the inmates’ cell on the first floor of security section 3.During inquiry, Prajwal claimed ownership of a book found in the cell, while Prathap allegedly admitted that the mobile phone, charger and pen drive belonged to him. He told officials that he used the phone to contact his relatives and lawyer. Prajwal said he, too, used the same phone to call his family and lawyer.The search of the high-security section lasted from around 2 pm to 9 pm. The raid also included the barrack where actor Darshan is lodged, but officials said no contraband was recovered from his cell.Prajwal is serving a life sentence after being convicted in a sexual assault case by a local court, while Prathap was arrested in connection with a Pocso case.In his complaint, CCB anti-narcotic wing police inspector M L Subramanya Swamy alleged that the two inmates had unauthorisedly procured prohibited articles from unknown persons. A senior officer said the duo did not cooperate during questioning.A case has been registered under Section 42 of the Karnataka Prisons (Amendment) Act, 2022, relating to the introduction and possession of prohibited articles inside prisons, and Section 323 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for dishonest or fraudulent removal or concealment of property.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.”BoxJail official suspendedA senior prison official was suspended after the CCB raid. DGP (Prisons and Correctional Services) Alok Kumar said assistant superintendent Iranna Rangapur was suspended for dereliction of duty, while the prison superintendent has been issued a show-cause notice. Although prison authorities searched Revanna’s barrack on Aug 6 and reported no contraband, the phone was recovered during the CCB raid, raising concerns over prison security and the earlier inspection.
