Prajwal Revanna Sex Scandal: The Case So Far

Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna finds himself embroiled in a scandal involving accusations of sexual harassment. Revanna, who clinched the Hassan Lok Sabha seat in 2019 and is currently vying for it once again, has been issued a lookout notice by authorities amid mounting pressure for his appearance before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) tasked with probing the allegations. 

The allegations stem from a complaint filed by a woman who previously worked as house help at his residence. The woman, aged 47, has not only incriminated Prajwal Revanna but also named Holenarasipur MLA HD Revanna, Prajwal's father, as an accused party in the case. 

A Janata Dal (Secular) worker hailing from Karnataka's Hassan district has also come forward with harrowing allegations against Member of Parliament Prajwal Revanna, accusing him of rape at gunpoint and the subsequent recording of videos of the heinous act.  The gravity of the cases has intensified with a shocking kidnapping charge levelled against the JD(S) MLA, as a 20-year-old man has come forward, accusing an accomplice of HD Revanna of kidnapping his mother.

Allegations of sexual assault, kidnapping, and the circulation of objectionable videos purportedly involving Revanna and his father have sparked widespread attention and raised significant questions about accountability and justice. 

In response to the escalating situation, the National Commission for Women (NCW) stepped in, shedding light on the complex web of accusations and counter-accusations that have come to define the case.

Who Are Prajwal And HD Revanna?

Prajwal Revanna, a prominent political figure hailing from Karnataka's Hassan constituency, comes from a lineage deeply rooted in Indian politics. As the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, Prajwal Revanna's political career has been closely monitored. He is running for re-election to the Lok Sabha from Hassan as a candidate of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), aiming for a second term, and is competing against Shreyas M. Patel, who is the grandson of G Puttaswamy Gowda. HD Revanna, his father, adds another layer to this dynastic political narrative, having served as a former minister.

The Allegations & Revanna's Defense

The controversy started after Congress claimed that a pen drive with pornographic videos had emerged, suggesting Prajwal Revanna's involvement in sexual assault against several women. Reports stated that these videos showed Revanna behaving inappropriately with women and pressuring them into sexual activities. Following this, the Karnataka Mahila Dourjanya Virodhi Vedike filed a complaint with the Women’s Commission, leading to more investigation into the issue.

The woman who filed the complaint described a troubling experience during her time working. She detailed ongoing harassment, accusing both HD Revanna and Prajwal Revanna of sexually assaulting female employees at their home. She claimed they created an atmosphere of fear, especially when Prajwal was around, with constant intimidation and unwanted advances.

She explained how HD Revanna would call female workers to secluded parts of the house on the pretext of tasks, then take advantage of them. She accused both her father and son of frequent sexual assaults against female workers.

"If (HD) Revanna’s wife wasn’t there, he used to call the women to the storeroom and touch them while giving them fruits. He used to remove saree pins and sexually assault women," she said.

In her complaint, the woman revealed that Prajwal Revanna tried to make advances outside of work. She shared a disturbing incident involving her daughter, where Prajwal Revanna allegedly tried to initiate inappropriate contact. The concerned parent intervened immediately, leading her daughter to block Prajwal Revanna's number to prevent further contact—a drastic step prompted by the severity of the incident.

Revanna, however, strongly rejected the accusations, claiming that the videos were manipulated to damage his reputation. He filed a complaint about this and allegedly left the country as the situation intensified. Additionally, Revanna had already taken legal steps against those spreading what he considered defamatory material.

In another complaint by the JD(S) worker, authorities have swiftly initiated legal proceedings. A first information report (FIR) has been registered by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). According to statements provided by the complainant,  Revanna allegedly coerced her into accompanying him to the MP quarters, where the abhorrent act took place under duress and at gunpoint. The survivor further alleges that Prajwal threatened her with dire consequences, including harm to her husband, should she dare to disclose the traumatic experience.

The survivor recounts the horrifying ordeal, as reported by The Indian Express, stating, "He (Prajwal Revanna) asked me to remove my clothes. I refused and threatened to scream for help. But he threatened me, saying he was carrying a gun and would not leave my husband and me." 

She further alleges that Prajwal Revanna exploited the recorded videos of the assault as a means of blackmail, using them to coerce her into compliance through threatening phone calls and additional acts of sexual violence. The survivor recounts instances of repeated rape and harassment spanning a distressing period between January 1, 2021, and April 25, 2024, leaving her traumatized and fearing for her safety.

Formation Of A Special Investigation Team

On April 25, the Chairperson of the Women's Commission urged Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to launch a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe after objectionable videos allegedly involving JD (S) MP Prajwal circulated on social media.

The allegations, potent in their severity, prompted swift action from the Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government, which responded by establishing a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter, led by IPS officer Vijay Kumar Singh, with DG CID Suman D Pennekar and IPS officer Seema Latkar as team members. The case has been registered at Holenarasipur police station under sections 354 A, 354 D, 506, and 509 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Lookout Notice and Urgent Summons

Karnataka's Home Minister, G Parameshwara, has stressed the urgency of Revanna's appearance before the SIT, suggesting potential legal ramifications should he fail to comply. Despite Revanna's plea for a seven-day grace period, the SIT promptly rejected his request, intensifying the legal and political spectacle surrounding the case. Prajwal Revanna's legal representative, Arun G, has highlighted the complexity of the controversial case, citing the need for time to address its multifaceted dimensions. Revanna's assertion of innocence, coupled with claims of manipulated video evidence, adds to the contention of an already convoluted narrative.

NCW's Take

Addressing the situation, the NCW clarified that while no formal complaints were directly lodged against Prajwal Revanna with the commission, a woman came forward, alleging coercion, to file a false complaint against him. 

"She stated that she is being called by random phone numbers threatening her to complain. It has come to light that this complainant was forced by a group of individuals to file a complaint, under the threat of potential harassment and false implications," the NCW said in its recent statement. 

In a separate development, the NCW stated that 700 women who filed online complaints were members of a social activist group and had no direct contact or association with the lead complainant in the case.

Former maid's son claims HD Revanna kidnapped & sexually harassed his mother

Raju HD found himself in a desperate situation as his mother became trapped in events linked to HD Revanna's influence. According to Raju, his mother, who worked as household help at Revanna's farmhouse, was allegedly coerced into disappearing by an individual named Satish Babanna, supposedly acting on HD Revanna's orders.

Satish, posing as a summoner for Raju's mother's work, reportedly lured her back to the premises on April 26. However, what seemed like a routine visit took a dark turn when Satish, claiming to act on HD Revanna's authority, forcibly took Raju's mother away on April 29, threatening legal repercussions if she encountered law enforcement. The issue escalated with the release of videos reportedly showing Raju's mother being sexually harassed, which are now extensively circulated on social media, causing uproar.

Despite Raju's efforts to locate his mother, he faced evasion and deceit from Satish, who cited legal threats. Fearing for his mother's safety, Raju turned to the law for help, urging authorities to take swift action to find her and ensure justice. These allegations have sparked a broader controversy, with HD Revanna and his son facing separate accusations of sexual harassment from another former household maid.

"The report indicates the registration of two cases based on complaints of sexual abuse by the victims, alongside an additional complaint filed for abduction by a relative. However, no victim has come forward to register a complaint with the commission in this case," the NCW stated.

After being remanded to judicial custody until May 14, HD Revanna secured conditional bail, subject to various stipulations imposed by the court. Among these conditions, he was required to provide a personal bond amounting to ₹5 lakh and extend full cooperation with the ongoing investigation. This ruling arrives amidst fervent legal proceedings following a complaint lodged by the victim's son, detailing the alleged abduction incident that transpired on April 29.

Political Fallout And Reactions

Unsurprisingly, the allegations against Prajwal Revanna have catalyzed a fierce political maelstrom, particularly in the lead-up to elections. The JDS-BJP alliance finds itself under heightened scrutiny, with the Congress leveraging the controversy to mount a concerted attack against its political adversaries. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has directly implicated Prime Minister Narendra Modi, challenging his silence in the face of grave allegations. Conversely, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has seized upon the opportunity to deflect criticism, accusing the Congress of political opportunism and questioning its failure to act sooner. 

Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge also accused the BJP-led central government of helping Prajwal Revanna leave the country, which the BJP strongly denied. Additionally, revelations that BJP leader G. Devaraje Gowda had previously warned the state leadership about allegations against Prajwal Revanna added to the situation.

Former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy also made a statement to distance himself from the controversy, emphasizing the JD(S)'s commitment to holding wrongdoers accountable, stating that regardless of family connections or political allegiances, anyone found guilty should be punished according to the law.