Former MP Prajwal Revanna Sent to Police Custody
A Bengaluru court has ordered that Prajwal Revanna, a former Member of Parliament, be placed in police custody for two days following allegations of unauthorized mobile phone use inside Parappana Agrahara Central Prison. The decision was made by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Sandeep Patil after considering arguments from both the prosecution and the defense.
Background on Revanna’s Conviction
Prajwal Revanna, who served as the representative for Hassan parliamentary constituency from 2019 to 2023, is currently serving a life sentence following his conviction for rape in August 2025. The present legal proceedings arose from a raid conducted by the Central Crime Branch (CCB), which reportedly uncovered mobile phones and digital devices in Revanna’s possession.
Details of the Raid and Findings
During the raid on August 11, the CCB allegedly retrieved a Redmi 5G smartphone, a notebook, a charger, and a SanDisk pen drive from a high-security barrack. The notebook was claimed by Revanna as his own. The police reported that the smartphone contained multiple applications, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Netflix, and Prime Video, and was protected by a password. The device has since been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for further examination.
Legal Charges and Investigation
The prosecution contends that the mobile phone was used to communicate with Revanna’s family and legal representatives, and the SIM card was allegedly procured from Andhra Pradesh. Consequently, the police have registered a case under Section 323 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Karnataka Prisons (Amendment) Act, 2022, for fraudulent concealment of property.
Assistant Public Prosecutor Satish Rao argued that the involvement of prison officials and staff suggests a broader conspiracy, necessitating further investigation. He emphasized the need for police custody to facilitate effective interrogation outside the confines of the prison.
Defense’s Position and Court’s Decision
Advocate Arun G, representing Revanna, opposed the custody request, pointing out the proximity of Parappana Agrahara police station to the prison, suggesting that the investigation could be conducted there. However, the court decided in favor of the prosecution’s request, remanding Revanna and another accused, Prathap Rai, to police custody for two days.
The case is slated for its next hearing on September 10, where further developments are anticipated.
