Bengaluru Court Sentences Prajwal Revanna to Life Imprisonment

A Bengaluru court has sentenced former Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna to life imprisonment following his conviction for raping a 48-year-old woman employed as a domestic worker at his family’s farmhouse in Hassan. The verdict was delivered on September 30, 2024, by the Special Court for Members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies after a trial that revealed disturbing details of the case.

The court found Revanna guilty of raping the woman twice between 2021 and 2024, during which he reportedly recorded the assaults on his phone. Alongside the life sentence, he was fined ₹11.50 lakh, with ₹11.25 lakh designated for the victim. The prosecution, led by Special Public Prosecutor Ashok Nayak, emphasized the severity of the crimes committed by a person in a position of power over the victim.

The case gained significant attention following the emergence of explicit videos allegedly showing Revanna sexually abusing multiple women during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The complainant filed a First Information Report (FIR) on April 28, 2023, shortly after these videos surfaced, prompting a swift investigation. Revanna fled to Germany in the same month but was arrested upon his return to India on May 31, 2024.

In court, Revanna expressed his distress over the ruling, claiming the allegations were politically motivated. He stated, “The only mistake I made in my life is growing fast in politics,” and insisted that no women had come forward voluntarily to accuse him. His legal representative, Arun G, announced plans to challenge the court’s decision in a higher court.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) that handled the case submitted a comprehensive charge sheet comprising 1,632 pages and detailed testimonies from 113 witnesses. Revanna faced charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including provisions for repeated rape, sexual harassment, voyeurism, and intimidation.

As the legal proceedings continue, the SIT remains optimistic about the outcomes of two additional rape cases and one case of sexual harassment for which rulings are pending. Senior IPS officer Suman D Pennekar remarked on the consistency of the crimes across the cases, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations.

The sentencing has sparked reactions from political figures in Karnataka. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar criticized the silence of leaders from the Janata Dal (Secular) party and its coalition partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party, on the issue, calling for them to publicly address the court’s findings. In contrast, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi defended the court’s decision, urging respect for the judicial process and emphasizing the importance of accountability.

The detailed court order regarding the sentencing is still awaited, and the implications of this case are likely to resonate throughout Karnataka’s political landscape as discussions about power dynamics and accountability continue.