Prajwal Revanna sentenced to life in rape and abduction case

Former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined Rs 5 lakh in a rape and abduction case involving a domestic worker. The verdict marks a major legal development, with three more related cases still under trial

Bengaluru: A Bengaluru special court has sentenced former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna to life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 lakh for raping and abducting a domestic worker from KR Nagar. The case, part of multiple sexual assault allegations against him, marks a major legal setback as other trials remain pending.

Bengaluru: In a major legal blow to JD(S) leader and former MP Prajwal Revanna, a Special Court for Elected Representatives in Bengaluru has convicted him in a rape and abduction case involving a domestic worker from KR Nagar. The court, presided over by Judge Santosh Gajanan Bhat, sentenced Revanna to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh.

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The verdict, delivered in a record time of just four months, marks the conclusion of one of four serious criminal cases against Revanna, three of which are still under trial. The court had declared him guilty on Friday, with sentencing arguments held on Saturday morning before the final judgment.

Fierce courtroom arguments

Special Public Prosecutors B N Jagadeesh and Ashok Nayak urged the court to award the maximum punishment, considering the gravity of the offence and the impact on the survivor. On the defence side, advocate Nalini Mayegowda argued for leniency, citing Revanna’s political future, age, and other mitigating factors. However, the judge, after hearing both sides, ruled that the severity of the crime warranted the harshest punishment.

During the final proceedings, the court also sought Revanna’s statement. In response, Revanna questioned why no allegations were raised while he served as a Member of Parliament. “Why now, during the elections?” he asked, but conceded that he would accept the court’s decision.

Case background: abduction and sexual assault

The case pertains to one of several serious allegations that surfaced during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Leaked obscene videos had triggered nationwide outrage, with one of the survivors – a domestic worker from KR Nagar – accusing Revanna of raping her. The woman was allegedly abducted and confined at a farmhouse near Hunsur to prevent the matter from reaching the authorities. The complaint also implicates former minister H D Revanna, Bhavani Revanna, and seven others.

While H D Revanna and Bhavani are currently out on bail, Prajwal Revanna has been in judicial custody at Parappana Agrahara Central Jail since his arrest on May 31, 2024.

More cases pending

So far, four cases have been registered against Prajwal Revanna, all related to sexual assault, rape, and illegal video recordings. Three cases are still pending trial, and further judgments are expected in the coming months.

Revanna’s conviction marks a significant turn in Karnataka’s political landscape, especially given his family’s influential position in the JD(S). The ruling has intensified scrutiny of the other cases against him, as calls grow louder for justice for all victims.