SC Backs Karnataka HC, Rejects Prajwal Revanna’s Bid to Move His Rape Trials Out of Bengaluru Court

The Supreme Court has rejected Janata Dal (Secular) leader Prajwal Revanna's request to move two rape trials out of the Special MP/MLA Court in Bengaluru. A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi dismissed claims that the trial judge was biased.

The judges said there was no material to suspect unfairness, even though the same court earlier sentenced Prajwal Revanna to life in a different rape case. The bench also stated that Prajwal Revanna could ask the Karnataka High Court to delete specific remarks if those appeared improper.

Before reaching the Supreme Court, Prajwal Revanna had approached the Karnataka High Court, seeking transfer of both pending trials from the Special MP/MLA court. Justice MI Arun refused the plea, observing that strict case management by the trial judge could not, by itself, suggest prejudice. The High Court orders and reasoning were later challenged before the Supreme Court.

The High Court noted that the trial judge was trying to ensure continuous proceedings. It recorded: "It is seen that the trial court intended to take the trial on a day-to-day basis. In the process any adjournments sought by the petitioner was frowned upon. The observations in the judgement may sound a bit harsh, but the same cannot be construed as bias on part of the presiding officer. Admittedly, the petitioner has tried to drag the case and resort to delay tactics, which has been frowned upon by the trial court."

Justice MI Arun further added that litigants could not seek transfer merely because a court disapproved delay. The High Court said: ""If that can be a ground for transfer, there would be such petitions in almost all criminal cases. This practise cannot be permitted. On erroneous appreciation of evidence, the petitioner can always challenge the trial court judgement. That also cannot be a ground for seeking a transfer.""
Supreme Court transfer plea and Special MP/MLA court role

Earlier, the Bengaluru trial court had dismissed Prajwal Revanna's transfer application, stressing that it functioned as a designated Special Court for present and former MPs and MLAs. The court held that offences involving elected representatives were meant to be tried there, and this position was later supported by the Karnataka High Court.

In the Supreme Court, Senior Advocates Siddharth Luthra and Siddarth Dave argued that the trial judge's comments, including remarks about the defence lawyers, created a reasonable fear of bias. The bench disagreed and stated: "These observations of the presiding officer cannot be the ground of bias. We have no reason to doubt that the officer would not be swayed by the fact that the petitioner was found guilty in the earlier case...and will confine his conclusions on the basis of evidence led in the pending trial," the bench observed.
Supreme Court transfer plea and criminal cases against Prajwal Revanna

The transfer request before the Karnataka High Court related to two separate criminal trials pending in the Special MP/MLA Court. Both cases invoke serious offences, including rape, repeated sexual assault, sexual harassment, voyeurism, criminal intimidation, and destruction of evidence, along with provisions of the Information Technology Act.

Details of the petitions and linked cases are set out below:
Petition number Trial case number / Crime number Key offences cited Relief sought
WP 29258/2025 SPL.C.C.NO.5/2025 (Crime No. 20/2024) Sections 376(2)(n), 354(A), 354(B), 354(C), 506, 201 IPC; Section 66E IT Act Transfer from Additional City and Sessions Judge, Bengaluru (Special MP/MLA Court) to another sessions court under Section 408 CrPC
WP 29290/2025 SPL.C.C.NO.1586/2025 (Crime No. 107/2024) Sections 376, 376(2), 354(A), 354(B), 354(C), 506, 509, 201 IPC; Section 66E IT Act Similar transfer from the Special MP/MLA Court to another sessions court

Prajwal Revanna has already been convicted and given a life sentence by the same Special MP/MLA Court in a different rape case, a fact highlighted by the defence while alleging bias. The Supreme Court, however, held that the presiding officer could still decide the pending matters fairly. The case is registered as PRAJWAL REVANNA AND STATE OF KARNATAKA | SLP(Crl) No. 18850/2025.

With the transfer plea dismissed, both rape trials against Prajwal Revanna will continue before the Special MP/MLA Court in Bengaluru. Any challenge to the final verdicts will lie through regular appeal routes, while issues over judicial remarks can be pursued before the Karnataka High Court, as indicated by the Supreme Court bench.