Ex-Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna Convicted In Rape Case Linked To Sexual Assault Videos

Former Karnataka JDS MP Prajwal Revanna has been convicted in a rape case by the Special Court for People's Representatives. The verdict, delivered on Friday, comes just 14 months after the case was registered.

The complaint filed by a domestic worker from KR Nagar in Mysuru had accused the JDS leader of raping her and recording the act on video. The charges have been booked under various IPC sections, including 376(2)(k) (rape by someone in a position of authority), 376(2)(n) (repeated rape), 354A (sexual harassment), 354B (assault with intent to disrobe), 354C (voyeurism), 506 (criminal intimidation), 201 (destruction of evidence), and 66E of the IT Act (violation of privacy).

However, the court is expected to pronounce the quantum of punishment on Saturday.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) from the CID, led by Inspector Shobha, handled the probe and submitted a detailed charge sheet nearly 2,000 pages long. During the investigation, 123 pieces of evidence were collected.

The court has examined 23 witnesses and reviewed the FSL reports of the video footage, as well as site inspection documents, after the trial began on December 31, 2024. It has ended in a matter of seven months.

Special public prosecutor Ashok Nayak told TOI: "It took 38 adjournments/dates to complete the trial, including argument dates. The prosecution examined 26 witnesses and marked 180 documents as exhibits."

Special Public Prosecutors BN Jagadeesh and Ashok Naik represented the state, while senior advocates Nalina Mayagowda and Arun G argued on behalf of Revanna.

Meanwhile, Prajwal was seen crying after walking out of the courtroom.

The prosecution's case was that the victim was repeatedly raped at the Revanna family's farmhouse and residence in Bengaluru during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021, and that the assaults were recorded on video. The videos were allegedly used to intimidate the victim

Prajwal Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, was arrested by the SIT at Bengaluru Airport on May 30 last year after his return from Germany. He remains in judicial custody.