Pornographic content was reportedly found on a mobile phone seized from the prison cell of former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, while a pen drive recovered from the same cell contained movies, according to the latest forensic examination of the devices.
Revanna, who is serving a life sentence following his conviction in a rape case, was lodged at Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara Central Prison when the devices were seized during a surprise search on August 11.
According to reports citing the forensic analysis, the mobile phone contained pornographic videos, while the pen drive had movie files. The devices had been sent for forensic examination after they were recovered from the prison cell.
Mobile phone, pen drive seized from jail cell
The Central Crime Branch (CCB) had conducted a surprise inspection of the prison's security division on August 11. During the search, officials recovered a Redmi 5G smartphone, a charger, a SanDisk pen drive and a notebook from a cell occupied by Revanna and undertrial prisoner Prathap Rai.
The mobile phone reportedly had applications including WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video installed. The applications were password-protected, and investigators questioned the inmates about how the prohibited device entered the prison.
The seizure led to a wider investigation into the smuggling of mobile phones and other prohibited items inside the prison.
Probe into how phone reached Revanna
Police have arrested several people in connection with the alleged smuggling of the phone and SIM card into the prison.
According to investigators, a prison warder allegedly facilitated the entry of the mobile phone, while the SIM card was brought into the prison through an undertrial prisoner. Nine people, including prison warders and inmates, have been arrested in investigations linked to the alleged phone-smuggling network.
Police are also investigating a wider network that allegedly supplied mobile phones to inmates for money. Investigators have said prohibited phones could be sold to inmates for significantly higher prices inside the prison.
Revanna and Prathap Rai were questioned by police in connection with the recovery and were subsequently sent back to prison after their custody ended.
Prajwal Revanna serving life sentence
Prajwal Revanna was convicted in August 2025 in a rape case and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was subsequently lodged at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison.
The latest investigation is focused primarily on the possession and alleged smuggling of prohibited electronic devices inside the prison, as well as the role of prison personnel and other inmates.
The forensic findings on the seized devices are expected to form part of the ongoing investigation, while authorities continue to probe the wider network allegedly responsible for bringing mobile phones and other prohibited items into the prison.
