Kharge confirms he ordered the ‘raid’ at Parappana Agrahara
Bengaluru: Home Minister Priyank Kharge confirmed that he personally ordered the CCB raid at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison. Speaking about the recovery of the mobile phone from Prajwal Revanna’s barrack, Kharge said the raid was conducted after he noticed certain lapses during a visit to the prison around two weeks ago. He said he obtained the Chief Minister’s approval before ordering the operation.
According to Kharge, the raid was carried out based on information provided by officials. He said instructions had been issued to suspend officials who were found to have assisted or facilitated the violations. Kharge said similar operations would be conducted in prisons across Karnataka and stressed that such inspections should be carried out regularly.
No VIP treatment, says Kharge
Kharge said no prisoner should receive VIP treatment inside the prison system. He said the seizure and mahazar process must be completed before details of all recovered items can be disclosed. He also called for a detailed investigation into how the prohibited items entered the prison and who may have assisted in bringing them inside.
He further revealed that although jammers have been installed inside the prison, they are reportedly not functioning in certain areas. An audit of the digital security system has therefore been ordered. Kharge said more than 120 mobile phones had been seized from the prison so far following measures to strengthen security. He added that officials found responsible for lapses would face action in accordance with service rules and prescribed procedures.
An Android mobile phone, a pen drive and a diary were reportedly found in the barrack where former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, who is serving a life sentence, is lodged at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru. The items were recovered during a surprise raid conducted by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) on Tuesday. The operation was led by CCB Additional Commissioner of Police Ajay Hilori and DCPs Srihari Babu and Raja Imam Qasim, with more than 100 police personnel taking part in the search. The search operation continued from around 11 am until 8 pm, with officers inspecting various barracks inside the prison. A Redmi Android mobile phone and a pen drive were reportedly recovered from Prajwal Revanna’s barrack, allegedly concealed among clothes. A diary was also found during the search. Prajwal Revanna shares the barrack with another inmate, Pratap Rai. Following the recovery of the mobile phone and other items, an FIR has reportedly been registered against both inmates, with Prajwal Revanna named as Accused No. 1. The raid also covered barracks housing other high-profile inmates, including actor Darshan, who is an accused in the Renukaswamy murder case, as well as other prisoners.
The recovery of a mobile phone from a high-security VIP barrack has raised questions over how the device entered the prison, who supplied it and how long it had allegedly been used. The incident has also renewed concerns over security lapses and allegations of preferential treatment for influential inmates at Parappana Agrahara.