The Karnataka High Court has delivered a significant setback to suspended Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) leader Prajwal Revanna by rejecting his bail plea in a high-profile sexual assault case. Revanna, son of JD(S) leader HD Revanna and grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, faces serious allegations of rape and sexual abuse, placing him under intense scrutiny. The court’s ruling follows multiple cases against him, raising questions about his behavior and overshadowing his political lineage.
Allegations against Prajwal Revanna first emerged ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections in April 2019, when pen drives containing explicit videos, allegedly featuring him, were reportedly circulated in Karnataka’s Hassan district. These videos, along with numerous accusations of sexual abuse, led to his suspension from the JD(S) party.
The first case against Revanna was filed at the Holenarasipura Town police station in Hassan, where he was accused of sexually harassing a 47-year-old former maid. Notably, his father, HD Revanna, a local MLA, was also named as the primary accused in this case. Following this, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) filed a second case based on allegations from a 44-year-old former member of the Hassan Zilla Panchayat, accusing Prajwal Revanna of repeated rape.
The accusations escalated with a third case involving a woman in her 60s from Mysuru’s KR Nagar, who was also a domestic worker. The victim’s son initially filed a kidnapping report, claiming his mother had been abducted at the K R Nagar police station. During the investigation, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested HD Revanna, who is currently out on bail, and questioned Prajwal’s mother, Bhavani Revanna, who obtained anticipatory bail.
Additionally, a fourth case was filed against Prajwal Revanna at the cybercrime police station of the CID in Bengaluru, alleging sexual harassment, stalking, criminal intimidation, and violations of privacy under the IT Act. The complainant claimed she was sexually harassed during a video call.
The Karnataka High Court’s denial of bail to Prajwal Revanna underscores the gravity of the allegations and reflects the court’s commitment to ensuring justice for the victims. This case has drawn significant public attention, as it involves a prominent political family and highlights the pressing issue of sexual violence in Indian society.