Janata Dal (Secular) (JDS) MP Prajwal Revanna, contesting from the Hassan parliamentary constituency for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), is facing allegations of “sexually assaulting thousands of women”.
Amidst the circulation of “obscene” videos, Revanna filed a complaint, alleging that the videos are doctored to “tarnish his image and poison the minds of voters.” He reportedly left the country for Germany after filing the First Information Report (FIR).
The Congress party has asserted that the videos reveal Revanna “recorded objectionable videos” of women. The chairperson of the State Women’s Commission, Nagalakshmi Choudhary, wrote to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the state police chief regarding the allegations. The Karnataka Mahila Dourjanya Virodhi Vedike also filed a complaint with the Women’s Commission, claiming that visuals of Revanna sexually abusing women were circulating across Hassan district through pen drives and social media.
Responding to the allegations, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the matter. A case has been registered at Holenarasipur police station under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 354 D (stalking), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 509 (insulting the modesty of a woman).
The CID wing of the SIT, led by IPS officer Vijay Kumar Singh, will investigate the “obscene video” case. Director General CID Suman D Pennekar and IPS officer Seema Latkar are also members of the team.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy stated that the SIT investigation is underway and expressed confidence in resolving the issue. However, the BJP has distanced itself from Revanna amidst the controversy, stating that they have no involvement in the matter.
