Bengaluru Court Convicts Ex-MP Prajwal Revanna in Sexual Assault Case
In a significant development, a Special Court in Bengaluru on Friday convicted Prajwal Revanna, a former Member of Parliament from Hassan, in a rape and sexual abuse case. The case is one of four serious criminal cases registered against him this year, following the emergence of over 2,000 explicit video clips allegedly involving the accused.
The court, designated for trials involving People’s Representatives, concluded proceedings in the case on July 18 and had reserved the verdict. The sentencing will be announced on Saturday, August 2.
The Case: A Shocking Abuse of Power
The case that led to Friday’s conviction stems from a complaint filed by a 48-year-old woman who had been employed as a domestic help at the Revanna family’s farmhouse in Gannikada, located in Holenarasipura of Hassan district. According to the prosecution, Prajwal Revanna raped the woman twice in 2021 and recorded the acts on his mobile phone without her consent.
The victim came forward with her testimony amid a larger investigation into allegations of widespread sexual abuse by the former MP. The prosecution presented digital forensic evidence, victim statements, and corroborative witness accounts during the trial.
Wider Scandal Unfolds Ahead of Elections
The controversy surrounding Revanna gained national attention in April 2024, just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Multiple pen drives containing explicit videos allegedly involving Revanna were circulated in Hassan district, triggering public outrage and political fallout.
These videos, believed to be non-consensually recorded, led to the filing of multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) against him. Four separate cases, including the one resulting in Friday’s conviction, have been registered under charges of rape, sexual harassment, and criminal intimidation.
The Karnataka government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations, citing the gravity and scale of the crimes. The SIT has continued to investigate other complaints even as the trial in this specific case reached its conclusion.
Political and Legal Ramifications
Prajwal Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda, was a rising political figure in Karnataka until the scandal erupted. He had represented the Hassan constituency in the 17th Lok Sabha and was fielded again by JD(S) for the 2024 elections. However, he lost the seat in the polls held on April 26.
Amid mounting pressure, the JD(S) suspended Revanna from the party soon after the videos surfaced and legal proceedings intensified. His political career has since come to a halt, and legal experts say he could face severe punishment if convicted in the remaining cases as well.
Arrest and Judicial Custody
Revanna had left the country just as the controversy unfolded but returned from Germany on May 31, 2024. He was arrested upon arrival at Bengaluru International Airport by the SIT in connection with a case registered at Holenarasipura Town Police Station.
Since then, he has been in judicial custody while being interrogated in connection with multiple complaints. Sources close to the investigation revealed that digital devices and other materials recovered from Revanna’s properties have been sent for forensic analysis.
Awaiting Sentencing
The court will announce the quantum of punishment on August 2. Depending on the charges under which he has been convicted, Revanna could face a minimum of ten years of imprisonment, which may extend to life, along with monetary penalties.
Legal observers believe the conviction marks a crucial step in holding powerful individuals accountable for sexual crimes. The remaining cases against Revanna are also expected to proceed swiftly, given the high-profile nature of the matter and the volume of evidence in the possession of investigating agencies.
The case has also raised broader concerns about the abuse of power, privacy violations, and delayed justice in sexual abuse cases involving influential individuals.
