Bengaluru, Aug 12 (IANS) Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday said he had personally ordered the Central Crime Branch (CCB) raid on Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, during which more than 10 mobile phones were recovered, including one allegedly found in the barrack of former MP Prajwal Revanna.
Police said several OTT applications were found on the mobile phone recovered from Prajwal Revanna’s barrack.
Reacting to the recovery, Kharge said a raid of this nature required the approval of the Home Department and the Chief Minister.
“I got the CCB raid conducted. A raid requires the permission of the Home Department. I had visited Parappana Agrahara two weeks ago and noticed certain lapses. Therefore, after obtaining the Chief Minister’s approval, I ordered the raid,” Kharge said.
He said the action was initiated based on information provided by officials and that he had directed authorities to suspend officials who were found to have facilitated irregularities inside the prison.
“Based on information from the officials, I ordered the raid. I have directed that all officials who facilitated these irregularities be suspended,” he said.
Kharge added that similar operations would be conducted in all prisons across Karnataka and stressed that such inspections should be carried out regularly.
“This is not limited to Parappana Agrahara. Such operations will be conducted in all prisons across the state. They need to be conducted continuously. Some officials have not given up their old practices, and we are taking action against them,” he said.
He also said disciplinary action against prison officials had to follow established procedures and service rules.
“Such things may happen, but that does not mean people can immediately be hanged. I have taken charge of the department and, within two months, I have ensured that a raid was conducted and action was initiated. There are certain procedures and standards for taking action against officials, including dismissal from service, and we have to follow them,” Kharge said.
The CCB raid on Tuesday resulted in the recovery of more than 10 mobile phones from various parts of the prison, including the barrack where Prajwal Revanna is lodged. Chargers and other prohibited items were also reportedly seized.
Prison Department DGP Alok Kumar said Assistant Superintendent Eeranna had been suspended in connection with the lapses. At the same time, a show‑cause notice had been issued to Jail Superintendent Anshukumar seeking an explanation.
Kumar said a mobile phone and charger were recovered from Prajwal’s barrack and that several OTT applications were found on the device. He said officials would also examine whether the prison’s Wi‑Fi network had been used.
“VIP treatment should not be given to anyone. I cannot discuss all the items recovered during the raid at this stage. The raid itself is a message to the officials,” Alok Kumar said.
He said the seizure and mahazar procedures would have to be completed before further details could be disclosed. A comprehensive investigation would be conducted to determine how the prohibited items entered the prison and whether any officials or other individuals helped smuggle them inside.
Kumar said some mobile phones that had been supplied earlier were still believed to be inside the prison. He noted that searches conducted a few days earlier had not resulted in any such recovery.
Warning prison officials against colluding with inmates, Kumar said strict action would be taken if their involvement was established.
“If the involvement of any officials is established, they will be suspended without hesitation. If the government provides you with a job and food, you must remain loyal to your duty,” he said.
–IANS
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