SC Rejects SIT Plea Against Bhavani Revanna's Bail In Abduction Case

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the Special Investigation Team's (SIT) plea challenging the Karnataka High Court's decision to grant anticipatory bail to JD(S) leader Bhavani Revanna in connection with an abduction case, as reported by ANI.

The Supreme Court pointed out that a chargesheet had already been filed in the case, and therefore, there was no need for further interference.

On July 10, the apex court refused to overturn Bhavani Revanna's anticipatory bail and instead sought her response to the Karnataka government's appeal against the High Court's order.

The Karnataka High Court, on June 18, had granted Bhavani Revanna anticipatory bail, noting that she had already answered 85 questions during the investigation, making claims of her non-cooperation unconvincing. The court rejected the SIT's plea, which sought her custody in relation to the kidnapping of a house-help in Mysuru's K R Nagar, citing her failure to appear for questioning.

While granting anticipatory bail, the High Court stressed that media trials should be avoided and emphasized the need to refrain from making unnecessary arrests of women, given their significant role in families.

The High Court further dismissed allegations that Bhavani Revanna had been misleading in her statements, highlighting that she had already provided extensive responses during questioning.

On June 7, the court had initially granted her interim anticipatory bail, preventing her from entering Mysuru and Hassan districts, which was later extended on June 14. However, it allowed the SIT to take her to these districts for investigation.

Bhavani Revanna faces accusations of attempting to prevent the house-help, who was allegedly sexually assaulted by her son, from filing a formal complaint.

Her son, Prajwal Revanna, is currently in SIT custody for allegedly sexually abusing several women and recording the assaults on video. The case gained attention after pen drives containing explicit videos allegedly involving Prajwal Revanna were circulated in Hassan ahead of the April 26 Lok Sabha elections.

Prajwal Revanna was arrested by SIT officials at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport on May 31 after returning from Germany. He had left for Germany a day after the elections in Hassan. INTERPOL had earlier issued a 'Blue Corner Notice' at the request of the SIT through the Central Bureau of Investigation, seeking information on his whereabouts.