Bengaluru: In a major development, the Special Court for MPs/MLAs in Bengaluru on Friday convicted former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna in connection with a high-profile rape and obscene video case. The verdict comes after months of intense legal proceedings and nationwide public attention. Prajwal Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, was reportedly emotional and broke down in court after the judgment.
The case stems from a complaint filed by a domestic worker from K.R. Nagar, accusing Revanna of sexual assault and other offences. The controversy erupted during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections when multiple videos allegedly showing Revanna sexually exploiting women were leaked. The scandal triggered outrage across Karnataka and beyond. Following polling, Revanna abruptly left the country, drawing widespread criticism and suspicion. He was arrested on May 31, 2024, upon his return to Bengaluru, following public pressure and appeals from his grandfather H.D. Deve Gowda and uncle, Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.
Since his arrest, Revanna has remained in judicial custody at Bengaluru Central Jail, with courts repeatedly denying his bail petitions. The court had earlier examined 26 pieces of evidence in the case, including digital forensic data and the alleged seizure of a Samsung J4 smartphone. Debates were also held over the admissibility of Google Maps data during trial proceedings.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the case has charged Revanna under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including:
- Section 376(2)(n) – Repeated rape on the same woman
- Section 354B – Use of criminal force with intent to disrobe
- Section 354C – Voyeurism
- Section 354A(1) – Unwelcome sexual advances
- Section 506 – Criminal intimidation
