Phone Found in Prajwal Revanna's Cell; Probe Launched into Prison Security
An investigation is underway after a mobile phone was discovered in the prison cell of former MP Prajwal Revanna. The probe aims to determine how the device entered the facility and if prison officials were involved.
Key takeaways
- A mobile phone was discovered in the prison cell of former MP Prajwal Revanna in Bengaluru.
- An official inquiry is examining how the phone entered the facility and whether prison staff were complicit.
- A notebook with numerous phone contacts, SIM cards from Andhra Pradesh, and other devices were also recovered.
- The investigation follows separate searches that yielded additional phones and pen drives.
An inquiry has been initiated into the presence of a mobile phone within the prison barrack of former Member of Parliament Prajwal Revanna at the Central Prison in Parappana Agrahara, Bengaluru. The DIG of Prisons and Correctional Services, Jinendra Khanagavi, is leading the investigation to understand how the phone bypassed existing security measures.
Investigators are examining the phone, a seized pen drive, and a notebook that reportedly contained numerous phone numbers, including those associated with Revanna's family and other contacts. The probe will address how the phone entered the prison, its duration of use, and the potential involvement of prison personnel.
The incident has highlighted concerns about security breaches within the prison. Reports suggest SIM cards issued in Andhra Pradesh have been detected in use inside the facility. Prison Department DGP Alok Kumar has directed a comprehensive report on the matter.
Sources indicate the seized mobile phone may have been operational since March, with suspicions that additional phones could be present and active within the prison. Allegations of prison officials facilitating phone access for financial gain are also under scrutiny. Assistant Superintendent Iranna Rangapur has been suspended in connection with the incident.
Separately, during unannounced searches conducted between August 11 and August 12, three mobile phones and two pen drives were recovered from different sections of the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison. An FIR has been filed at the Parappana Agrahara police station.
Authorities have refuted claims that the seized devices contain objectionable content. Investigators have observed that a specific brand of Android phones is being used within the prison, potentially bypassing security jamming systems. The possibility of these devices circumventing 3G/5G jammers is being explored, and technical information may be sought from the phone manufacturer. The supply chain for these phones is also a subject of investigation.
Key Facts
- A mobile phone was found in the prison barrack of former MP Prajwal Revanna at Central Jail, Parappana Agrahara, Bengaluru.
- DIG of Prisons Jinendra Khanagavi is probing how the phone entered the prison.
- A pen drive and a notebook containing several phone numbers were also seized.
- The notebook reportedly included numbers of Revanna's family and acquaintances.
- SIM cards issued in Andhra Pradesh have been detected for use inside the prison.
- The seized phone is suspected to have been in use since March.
- Assistant Superintendent Iranna Rangapur has been suspended.
- Home Minister Priyank Kharge stated that action will be taken against those who facilitated the phone's use.
- Three mobile phones and two pen drives were recovered during separate searches on August 11-12.
- An FIR was registered at the Parappana Agrahara police station following the separate recoveries.
- DCP M. Narayana refuted reports of pornographic or objectionable content on seized devices.
- Investigators are examining if certain Android phones can bypass prison security jammers.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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