From Parliament to Prison? Prajwal Revanna Convicted, Verdict Pending

(Syed Ali Taher Abedi)

In a landmark judgment, a Special Court designated for cases involving elected representatives in Bengaluru has convicted former Janata Dal (Secular) Member of Parliament, Prajwal Revanna, in a high-profile rape case. The verdict was delivered today by Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge Santhosh Gajanan Bhat, who found Revanna guilty on multiple charges including rape, sexual harassment, and criminal intimidation.

This case is one among four separate rape cases filed against Revanna in Karnataka’s Hassan district, where he previously served as MP. The conviction marks a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings against the politician, who hails from a prominent political lineage as the grandson of JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda.

According to the prosecution, the victim—a 48-year-old domestic worker employed at a farmhouse owned by the Revanna family—was repeatedly assaulted by Prajwal Revanna during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021. The assaults reportedly occurred at multiple locations and were allegedly recorded by the accused on his mobile phone.

Revanna was taken into judicial custody on May 31, 2024, following his arrest by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) upon his return from Germany. His arrest came after explicit video evidence surfaced during the 2024 general election campaign, triggering widespread outrage and legal action.

The court has scheduled the pronouncement of punishment for Saturday, August 2. Legal experts and political observers are closely watching the case, which has become one of Karnataka’s most closely followed criminal trials involving a public figure.