I Ordered Jail Raids: HM Priyank on Phone Seizure From Jailed Revanna

Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday said he had ordered a surprise raid at the Bengaluru Central Prison at Parappana Agrahara after noticing administrative lapses during his recent visit, and warned that similar searches would be carried out in other prisons across the state.

According prison officials, a smart phone was found in the possession of former MP and rape convict Prajwal Revanna, grandson of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, during the raid.

Kharge said around 100 Central Crime Branch personnel were deployed for the raid after he obtained Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's permission, and several lapses were detected.

He said action had already been initiated against officials suspected of facilitating violations inside the prison.

"This CCB raid was not conducted on its own; I had ordered it. Whenever a raid has to be conducted in any prison, there has to be an order from the Home Minister," Kharge told reporters.

Noticed Lapses During Recent Visit

Kharge said he had visited the prison two to three weeks ago and noticed "certain lapses", which he subsequently discussed with senior officials before seeking the Chief Minister's approval for the raid.

"We sent around 100 CCB personnel to find out about the system and arrangements there. A lot of lapses were found. We have already taken action as well," he said.

He said he had ordered the suspension of officials who had cooperated in facilitating the violations.

"There are some officers in our department who have still not given up their old ways. We will identify all of them and take whatever legal action is required against them," he said.

Kharge said the crackdown would not be confined to Parappana Agrahara.

"It is not just your Parappana Agrahara prison; this will happen in all our prisons and jails. I am not going to tell you when, where or what we will do. But it could be Kalaburagi prison, Belagavi, Bengaluru or anywhere else. We will take strict action. We will keep doing this," he said.

‘Can Be Dismissed From Service’

Responding to questions on repeated incidents in prisons being followed by transfers or suspensions, Kharge said officials could be dismissed if a crime was established.

"If there is a crime, definitely they can be dismissed from service," he said.

He said the government would not allow VIP treatment to inmates.

"We will not allow anyone to receive VIP treatment like this. The raid itself is the message. If you think you can bribe my officials and do what you want, you are mistaken," the minister said.

Asked about reports of a mobile phone and pen drive being found in the barrack of former MP Prajwal Revanna, Kharge said details would not be disclosed immediately. "Which mobile phone was found, who had the pen drive, whose notebook was found-all that has to be kept confidential. We will reveal everything when the time comes," he said.

He also cautioned against rushing the investigation, saying officials needed to establish who had taken the prohibited items inside the prison and who had assisted the inmates.

"It has just been found. We need to find out who got it inside, who is cooperating with them there and in what manner they are cooperating," he said.

Jail Audits Ordered

Kharge said he had also ordered a technical audit of the prison's digital infrastructure, including mobile-phone jammers.

"There are jammers, and we are getting information that they are not working in some areas. So I have also ordered a complete audit of the digital infrastructure available in our prisons," he said.

Explaining the reason for the surprise raid, Kharge said his recent prison visit had brought both inmate grievances and administrative shortcomings to his notice.

"I visited the prisons recently. I found that there were certain difficulties that prisoners themselves were expressing. And more importantly, I found a lot of fault within the administration. So that's why yesterday we decided to have a surprise raid in the prisons," he said.

He added that mobile phones, notebooks and other prohibited items were found in certain cells, including those occupied by high-profile and other prisoners.

"So quite naturally, it seems like our people are hand in glove with these prisoners," he said.