From Rs 1.2 lakh salary to Rs 540 wage: Inmate No. 15528 Prajwal Revanna's life behind bars

Revanna was sentenced to life imprisonment on Saturday by a special court for MPs and MLAs

Once drawing a monthly salary of Rs 1.2 lakh as the Lok Sabha MP from Hassan, Prajwal Revanna has now begun his life as convict number 15528 in Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison.

Disqualified from Parliament in April 2024 following his conviction in the infamous rape case, Revanna was sentenced to life imprisonment on Saturday by a special court for MPs and MLAs.

The 34-year-old JD(S) leader, also the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, was found guilty of repeatedly raping a 48-year-old domestic worker employed at his family's farmhouse and Bengaluru residence in 2021.

According to investigators, the incidents were recorded by Revanna on his mobile phone. He was also convicted of sexual harassment, voyeurism, and criminal intimidation.

Revanna was moved to the convict barrack on Friday, but has not yet been assigned any prison work.

According to a senior prison official cited in a Times of India report, new convicts begin with unskilled tasks such as tailoring or assisting in the bakery. If found suitable after a year, they may be shifted to skilled work like weaving or smithing.

Revanna's work allocation reportedly begins on Monday.

Under prison rules, convicts sentenced to rigorous imprisonment must engage in labour unless exempted for medical reasons. However, over 1,500 inmates across Karnataka, currently working in various prison units, have not been paid wages for more than a year, it has been learnt from the report.

The total unpaid amount is estimated at Rs 3 crore. The standard wage for prison labour is Rs 540 per month for six-day work weeks, with eight-hour shifts.

Inside prison, Revanna’s life will follow a strict daily routine.

Convicts wake up at 6:30 am, with breakfast served shortly after. The breakfast menu rotates through the week -- tomato bath on Mondays, puliyogare on Thursdays, poha on Wednesdays, and so on. Lunch and dinner typically consist of chapatis, ragi balls, rice, sambar, and buttermilk. Eggs are served on Tuesdays, while non-vegetarian meals like mutton and chicken are served on alternating Fridays and Saturdays.

Moreover, convicts are permitted only two 10-minute phone calls each week and may receive one family visit weekly.

Added to that, given the high-profile nature of his case, Revanna has been placed in a high-security cell with high surveillance. He is required to wear the standard convict uniform and follow all jail protocols.

Revanna appeared visibly distressed on his first night behind bars, as per jail officials. During his medical check-up, he reportedly broke down and expressed anguish over his sentencing.

He has also informed the authorities that he has filed an appeal in the Karnataka High Court challenging the verdict.

Revanna has been convicted under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology Act. These include Section 376(2)(k) and 376(2)(n) for repeated rape and abuse of dominant position, both carrying life imprisonment until the end of natural life and a fine of Rs 10 lakh. Additional convictions include sections related to sexual harassment, disrobing, voyeurism, criminal intimidation, destruction of evidence, and privacy violations, amounting to several more years of imprisonment and additional fines.

The total fine imposed on Revanna stands at Rs 11.5 lakh, of which Rs 11.25 lakh has been directed to be paid as compensation to the victim.