Karnataka Cabinet clears AI cameras, signal jammers for prison modernisation
Synopsis
Karnataka's Cabinet has approved AI cameras and signal jammers for its prisons — a decision that lands just days after a 5G phone, charger, and pen drive were found in former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna's cell and a video emerged of him apparently making calls from inside. The modernisation push is as much a damage-control response as it is a technology upgrade.
Key Takeaways
The Karnataka Cabinet approved AI-based cameras, portable signal jammers, and a Prisoner Calling System for state prisons on 21 August .
The decision was announced by Minister Priyank Kharge after a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister D.K.
A Redmi 5G phone , charger, notebook, and pen drive were recovered from the cell of former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna and Pratap Rai .
Assistant Superintendent Iranna Rangapur was suspended; a show-cause notice was issued to Superintendent Anshu Kumar .
DGP (Prisons) Alok Kumar ordered a detailed departmental inquiry into the security lapse.
The Karnataka Cabinet on Friday, 21 August approved the procurement and installation of advanced technology equipment — including Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based cameras, portable signal jammers, and a Prisoner Calling System — to modernise and strengthen the state's Prisons Department. The decision was announced by Home, Information Technology and Biotechnology and E-Governance Minister Priyank Kharge following a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
What the Modernisation Plan Covers
Under the initiative, prisons across Karnataka will be equipped with AI-powered surveillance cameras, portable signal jammers to block unauthorised mobile communications, and a dedicated Prisoner Calling System, among other advanced tools. The government said the upgrades are aimed at enhancing security, surveillance, and operational efficiency across all state prison facilities.
'Given the changing challenges, it is necessary to adopt advanced technology in the Prisons Department as well. This step has been taken with the objective of further strengthening security and surveillance,' Minister Kharge said.
The Prajwal Revanna Incident That Sharpened Focus
The Cabinet decision comes against the backdrop of a high-profile security lapse at Bengaluru Central Prison. Officials recently recovered a light-blue Redmi 5G phone, a charger, a pocket notebook, and a SanDisk pen drive from the cell occupied by former Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna and Pratap Rai. Revanna reportedly claimed the phone belonged to Rai.
A video that subsequently surfaced appeared to show Revanna talking on a mobile phone inside his prison cell while dressed in civilian clothes, raising serious questions about oversight within the facility. The incident drew sharp public and political scrutiny of prison administration in the state.
Action Taken Against Prison Officials
Assistant Superintendent of Prisons Iranna Rangapur was suspended for alleged dereliction of duty following the phone recovery. A show-cause notice was issued to Bengaluru Central Prison Superintendent Anshu Kumar. Director General of Prisons (DGP) Alok Kumar confirmed that a detailed departmental inquiry has been ordered into the matter.
What Comes Next
The Cabinet approval sets the stage for procurement and installation of the new equipment across Karnataka's prison network. The technology is expected to prevent unauthorised activities, curb contraband smuggling, and establish a more robust monitoring framework. This modernisation push reflects a broader state-level reckoning with prison security failures, and observers will watch closely whether implementation matches the urgency of the announcement.
Point of View
Not precedes, a public scandal involving a sitting prisoner apparently using a smartphone inside his cell. That sequence raises a pointed question: would this modernisation have happened without the Prajwal Revanna embarrassment? Karnataka's prisons have long operated with thin oversight and outdated infrastructure; a single viral video is doing the policy work that years of inspection reports evidently could not. The real test will be implementation — AI cameras and jammers are only as effective as the institutional culture around them, and a departmental inquiry alone will not fix a system where a senior official's suspension is the first response to a fundamental failure of duty.
NationPress
21 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Karnataka Cabinet approve for the Prisons Department?
The Karnataka Cabinet approved the procurement and installation of AI-based cameras, portable signal jammers, and a Prisoner Calling System, among other advanced equipment, to modernise security and surveillance across state prisons. The decision was announced on 21 August by Minister Priyank Kharge.
Why is Karnataka upgrading its prison security now?
The move follows a high-profile security lapse at Bengaluru Central Prison, where a Redmi 5G phone, charger, notebook, and pen drive were recovered from the cell of former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna. A video also emerged appearing to show Revanna making calls from inside his cell, intensifying scrutiny of prison oversight.
What action was taken against prison officials after the phone was found?
Assistant Superintendent of Prisons Iranna Rangapur was suspended for alleged dereliction of duty. A show-cause notice was issued to Bengaluru Central Prison Superintendent Anshu Kumar, and DGP (Prisons) Alok Kumar ordered a detailed departmental inquiry.
Who chaired the Cabinet meeting that cleared the prison modernisation plan?
The Cabinet meeting was chaired by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Home and IT Minister Priyank Kharge announced the decision and outlined the scope of the modernisation initiative.
How will the new technology improve Karnataka's prisons?
AI-powered cameras will strengthen surveillance, while portable signal jammers are intended to block unauthorised mobile communications inside prison premises. The Prisoner Calling System aims to provide a monitored, authorised channel for inmate calls, reducing the incentive for contraband phones.
