Bengaluru Court Sentences Prajwal Revanna to Life Imprisonment Till Death in Obscene Video and Rape Case

Bengaluru, Aug 25 : In a landmark judgment, the Special Court for MPs/MLAs in Bengaluru on Saturday sentenced former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna to life imprisonment till death and imposed a fine of ₹10 lakh in connection with a rape case involving a 47-year-old woman. Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, was convicted for repeated sexual assaults and for his involvement in a series of obscene videos that surfaced during the Lok Sabha elections.

Judge Santosh Gajanana Bhat pronounced the verdict, convicting Prajwal Revanna under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology (IT) Act. The court found him guilty of repeated rape under IPC Section 376(2)(N) and imposed a fine of ₹5 lakh. Additionally, Revanna was sentenced to life imprisonment under IPC Section 376(2)(K) for exploiting his position of power and dominance over the victim, accompanied by another fine of ₹5 lakh.

The court directed that ₹7 lakh of the total fine amount be handed over to the victim as compensation. Prajwal Revanna, visibly emotional, stood with folded hands as the court announced the quantum of punishment.

Multiple Charges and Evidence

Prajwal Revanna was convicted under IPC Sections 376(2)(N) for repeated rape, 376(2)(K) for misuse of dominance, 354(B) for using criminal force with intent to disrobe a woman, 354(C) for voyeurism, and Section 66(E) of the IT Act for violation of privacy. The court scrutinized 26 pieces of evidence during the trial, which included video footage, testimonies, and forensic samples.

The case was lodged by a domestic worker from K.R. Nagar, who accused Revanna of sexually assaulting her at a farmhouse in Holenarasipura. The victim, an elderly woman, was seen in a viral video pleading with Revanna to spare her, stating she had served his father and family elders for years. The video sparked massive outrage across Karnataka and the country.

Special Prosecutors Demand Maximum Punishment

During the final arguments, Special Public Prosecutors urged the court to deliver the harshest sentence possible. They emphasized that such crimes, especially when committed by individuals in positions of power, must be met with stringent punishment to act as a deterrent to society. They also underlined the brazenness of the crimes, where Revanna not only assaulted women but also recorded the acts, violating their dignity and privacy.

Prajwal Revanna Breaks Down in Court

Delivering his final statement, Prajwal Revanna broke down before the court. He questioned the timing of the allegations, alleging political conspiracy. “Why did this case emerge during the elections? When I was an MP, no complaints were filed against me. Suddenly, I’m accused of multiple sexual assaults. Why didn’t anyone speak up earlier?” he asked.

Revanna further alleged that the police acted with political motivations. “I will accept the court’s verdict, but I have not seen my parents for six months. This entire episode is politically driven,” he said.

When questioned by the judge about his educational background, Revanna mentioned he held a degree in Mechanical Engineering and described himself as a meritorious student. “My only mistake is that I rose too quickly in politics. I will not blame the media,” he added.

Legal Proceedings and Past Cases

The court also recorded the final statements from Revanna’s senior counsel, who argued in defense of his character and questioned procedural lapses, but the evidence against him was deemed overwhelming.

This conviction comes amidst three other similar cases against Revanna, all involving allegations of sexual assault and filming of obscene videos. During the recent Lok Sabha elections, several videos allegedly showing Revanna sexually assaulting multiple women surfaced, leading to public outrage and calls for immediate action.

After the election polling concluded, Revanna fled India, evading law enforcement. However, following public appeals by his grandfather H.D. Deve Gowda and his uncle, Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Revanna returned to Bengaluru on May 31, 2024, where he was immediately taken into custody by Bengaluru police. He has since been lodged in Bengaluru Central Jail for the past 14 months. All his bail pleas have been consistently rejected by various courts.

Impact of the Verdict

The court’s verdict is being seen as a significant moment in addressing crimes of sexual assault perpetrated by individuals in influential political positions. The court emphasized that such abuse of power must be punished to uphold the integrity of democratic institutions and ensure justice for the victims.

Police sources revealed that during the investigation, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) gathered strong evidence, including forensic analysis of semen samples from the victim’s clothes and corroborative video footage. The SIT also recorded detailed testimonies of the victims, which strengthened the prosecution’s case.

The sentencing of Prajwal Revanna marks a rare instance where a sitting or former Member of Parliament has been handed a life sentence till death for sexual assault. The court’s order is expected to set a precedent for similar cases in the future, especially in ensuring accountability among public representatives.

Team Maverick.