A decision on transferring Prajwal Revanna — the former Janata Dal (Secular) MP serving a life sentence in a rape case — from Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru to Hindalga Jail in Belagavi is expected on Saturday, 10 October 2026, following the recovery of a mobile phone and a pen drive from his prison cell. The transfer order was issued by Director General of Police (DGP), Department of Prisons and Correctional Services, Alok Kumar, amid a widening controversy over prohibited electronic devices being found inside a high-security facility.

Why the Transfer Was Ordered

The proposed relocation follows a raid conducted on 11 August 2026 by the Central Crime Branch (CCB), led by Deputy Commissioners of Police Haribabu and Imam Qasim, at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison. During the operation, investigators reportedly recovered a mobile phone, a charger, a blue notebook, and a pen drive from Revanna's cell. The mobile phone allegedly contained applications including WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video, all password-protected. A forensic examination by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) reportedly detected several obscene video files on the device.

A photograph reportedly showing Revanna speaking on a mobile phone inside the prison also surfaced, intensifying scrutiny over the facility's security arrangements. DGP Alok Kumar subsequently ordered a probe led by DIG Jinendra Khanagavi to determine how the prohibited items entered the prison and whether prison officials were negligent.

What Is Delaying the Transfer

Despite the transfer order being issued, the shift has been temporarily deferred as the prison department finalises logistics. One significant hurdle, according to officials, is the absence of a senior officer to supervise the movement of the high-profile convict. The Belagavi Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Somashekar was recently arrested on charges of allegedly misusing another convict's name and releasing that individual using a fabricated Supreme Court order — leaving a supervisory gap in the chain of command.

Additionally, Revanna is produced before a court three times a week, and his transfer to Belagavi could complicate the logistical arrangements for those appearances. An official communication has reportedly already been dispatched to Hindalga Jail authorities, and its chief superintendent has been informed. The actual move is expected to proceed under police escort once a replacement officer is assigned and final arrangements are confirmed.

Legal Challenge in the Works

Revanna's legal counsels are reportedly preparing to approach a court to challenge the proposed transfer, citing alleged violations of prison rules and procedural irregularities. If filed, the petition could further delay or stall the relocation, pending judicial review.

Background: Who Is Prajwal Revanna

Revanna is the grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and nephew of Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, placing him at the centre of one of Karnataka's most politically sensitive criminal cases. He was convicted in a rape case and is serving a life sentence. The discovery of prohibited electronic devices — and the allegations of obscene content on the recovered phone — has renewed public focus on the case and raised broader questions about prison administration in Karnataka.

What Happens Next

The prison department is expected to finalise the transfer once a senior officer assumes supervisory responsibility. Should Revanna's lawyers succeed in securing a stay, the matter could move to a protracted legal battle over the procedural propriety of the transfer. The outcome will likely set a precedent for how Karnataka's prison system handles high-profile convicts found in possession of prohibited items.