Former MP Prajwal Revanna Sentenced to Life in Prison for Rape
A special court in Bengaluru has sentenced former Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna to life imprisonment for the rape of a 48-year-old domestic employee. The court, which convicted him on Friday, also imposed a fine of ₹10 lakh. The case, one of four against Revanna, pertains to sexual assaults committed in 2021 that were filmed by the accused. The verdict marks a significant conclusion to a high-profile case that gained national attention after explicit videos surfaced before the 2024 elections.
Unpacked:
Prajwal Revanna is a former Member of Parliament from the Janata Dal (Secular) party. He is the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and the son of former Karnataka minister HD Revanna. His conviction is seen as a significant blow to this prominent political family.
The case became nationally prominent in April 2024 when numerous pen drives containing explicit videos of sexual assaults allegedly committed by Revanna surfaced shortly before the Lok Sabha elections. The timing and content of the leaks sparked public outrage and widespread media coverage.
Revanna claimed the charges were politically motivated, arguing that the allegations surfaced right before the elections to damage his political career. He also pleaded for leniency in court, stating he had not seen his family for months and denied wrongdoing.
Yes, the case resulting in his life sentence is one of four separate rape complaints pending against him. Investigations into the other cases are ongoing, and they have contributed to the high-profile nature of the controversy.