Prajwal Revanna, the former MP from Hassan and grandson of former Prime Minister HD Devegowda, has been convicted in a rape case. The verdict was delivered by a special court for elected representatives in Bengaluru on Friday. This marks a significant development in a case that has garnered national attention due to the involvement of over 2,000 obscene video clips allegedly depicting the sexual abuse of multiple women.
The case against Prajwal Revanna began when a domestic worker from KR Nagar, Mysuru, filed a complaint accusing him of rape. The complaint was registered at the Cyber Crime Station of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The victim alleged that Revanna had raped her and recorded the act on video. This initial complaint led to the registration of four criminal cases against Revanna. He was charged under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology Act, including sections 376(2)(k) (rape by someone in a position of authority), 376(2)(n) (repeated rape), 354A (sexual harassment), 354B (disrobing a woman), 354C (voyeurism), 506 (criminal intimidation), 201 (destruction of evidence), and 66E (violation of privacy).
The emergence of the obscene video clips played a crucial role in the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings. These videos, which surfaced on social media, allegedly showed Revanna sexually abusing multiple women. The sheer volume of the video evidence and the disturbing nature of the content triggered widespread outrage and intensified the pressure on law enforcement agencies to take swift action.
Following the registration of the cases, the state government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the CID to investigate the allegations against Revanna. The SIT collected a substantial amount of evidence, including 123 pieces of evidence. The investigation involved examining 26 witnesses and marking 180 documents as exhibits. The SIT also considered forensic science laboratory (FSL) reports of the video clips and spot inspection reports from the crime scene.
Prajwal Revanna initially left the country on April 27, 2024, after the cases were registered against him. He was arrested upon his arrival from Munich, Germany, at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on May 31, 2024. Since then, he has been lodged at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison.
During the trial, Revanna filed multiple bail applications. However, the Special Court for People's Representatives rejected his second bail plea, citing delays in the trial proceedings. The court framed charges against Revanna under various sections, including rape, voyeurism, criminal intimidation, and unlawful circulation of intimate images.
The trial commenced on December 31, 2024, and was completed within seven months. The court examined 23 witnesses and considered forensic evidence related to the video clips. The court's verdict came just 14 months after the case was registered. After the verdict was announced, Revanna was visibly emotional and broke down in court. The court is scheduled to pronounce the sentence on Saturday.
In connection with the leaked explicit video clips, the SIT arrested two individuals, reportedly BJP workers, for allegedly circulating obscene content. The SIT officials recovered pen drives and a CPU allegedly used to spread the clips.
