Bengaluru: Hundreds of video files, including alleged obscene and vulgar videos, have been recovered from a mobile phone seized from the cell of former JD(S) MP, Prajwal Revanna, who is convicted in a rape case, and another undertrial prisoner at Bengaluru Central Prison, police said Saturday. The mobile phone was sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for examination, and the report has confirmed the presence of the video files, police said.
The Parappana Agrahara police are investigating the case after the mobile phone was seized during a raid at Bengaluru Central Prison August 11. The device was subsequently sent to the FSL for examination after Prajwal Revanna and undertrail prisoner Pratapa Rai, who are kept together in the cell, allegedly refused to provide the password despite repeated requests from the police.
According to the investigation, 173 files were found on the mobile phone. Among them were three alleged obscene videos involving Prajwal Revanna. The device also contained several other vulgar and obscene videos, along with movie clips in Kannada, Hindi and English, web series and other video content.
Police are also examining the communication records of the mobile phone. Investigators have found that video calls and WhatsApp calls were allegedly made from the device to several women. Police are particularly looking into calls made to women who had been seen with Prajwal Revanna in obscene videos before his arrest.
The pen drive reportedly contained more than 150 videos. Investigators are examining the contents of the pen drive as part of the probe.
Police were reportedly surprised by the nature of some of the content recovered from the devices. Investigators are also examining whether the women with whom Prajwal Revanna had allegedly communicated from prison had any connection with the material recovered.
Sources said the police are considering issuing notices to some of the women and questioning them as part of the investigation. The investigators are expected to question them about the calls and video calls allegedly made from the mobile phone.
The probe has also revealed that Prajwal Revanna allegedly used the mobile phone to remain in regular contact with several people while in prison.
He is suspected of having spoken to family members every day and also making video calls. Prajwal Revanna is the grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, the son of former minister H.D. Revanna and nephew of Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. Prajwal Revanna also allegedly used the phone to contact his advocate.
The incident came to light after a video purportedly showing Prajwal Revanna speaking on a mobile phone inside the prison went viral on social media. Following the incident, the police conducted a search of the prison premises August 11 and recovered the mobile phone
The investigation has also led police to examine how the mobile phone was brought into the prison. Preliminary investigation has indicated that a prison warder allegedly provided the mobile phone to Prajwal Revanna. Police are also probing the alleged role of a rowdy-sheeter, identified as Thouseef, who is suspected to have supplied the device to the warder.
The police have registered a case in connection with the recovery of the mobile phone and are investigating the circumstances under which it was brought into the high-security prison.
The FSL examination of the device and the pen drive has become a key part of the investigation. Police are analysing the videos, call records and other digital material to establish how the devices were used and whether any prison rules or other laws were violated.
Investigators are also examining whether Prajwal Revanna continued communicating with people outside the prison on a regular basis and whether any of the calls or videos are connected to the cases for which he was convicted.
The Parappana Agrahara police are continuing their investigation, including questioning prison staff and examining the digital evidence recovered from the mobile phone and pen drive.
