Prajwal Revanna Convicted in Rape Case: In a significant development, former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna has been convicted by a Special Court in one of the four sexual assault cases filed against him. The verdict was delivered on Friday, and the quantum of punishment will be announced by Special Court Judge Santosh Gajanan Bhat on Saturday.
The case pertains to the rape of a 48-year-old woman who worked as a domestic help at the Revanna family’s Gannikada farmhouse in Holenarasipura, located in Karnataka’s Hassan district. According to the prosecution, Prajwal Revanna raped the woman twice in 2021 and allegedly recorded the act on his mobile phone.
Prajwal Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister and JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda, has been facing multiple serious allegations of sexual misconduct. A total of four cases, including charges of rape and sexual harassment, have been registered against him. Following these accusations, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to carry out an in-depth investigation.
The cases came under public scrutiny after pen drives containing explicit videos allegedly involving Revanna were circulated widely in Hassan ahead of the Lok Sabha elections held on April 26, 2024. The scandal sparked outrage and dominated headlines, casting a shadow over the political climate in the region.
Revanna, who had contested in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from the Hassan constituency, failed to retain his seat. In the wake of the controversy and mounting public pressure, JD(S) promptly suspended him from the party.
After remaining abroad for a brief period, Revanna was arrested by the SIT on May 31, 2024, upon his arrival at Bengaluru International Airport from Germany. His arrest was in connection with a case registered at the Holenarasipura Town Police Station.
With the conviction now confirmed in at least one of the cases, the focus shifts to Saturday’s sentencing. The verdict is expected to set a precedent in politically sensitive cases involving allegations of sexual violence and abuse of power.
This case highlights the urgent need for accountability among public representatives and underscores the importance of a swift judicial process in matters concerning women’s safety and justice. The remaining cases against Revanna continue to be under investigation, and further legal proceedings are anticipated in the coming months.