In a dramatic conclusion to one of Karnataka’s most sensational criminal trials, a special court in Bengaluru on Saturday sentenced former Member of Parliament Prajwal Revanna to life imprisonment in a rape case involving a 47-year-old domestic worker. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh.
Prajwal who comes from a powerful family with good political history, broke down in court as the sentence was read. The verdict came just a day after his conviction and nearly 14 months after his initial arrest. The trial itself was swift, lasting only eight weeks.
Prajwal is the grandson of former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, son of HD Revanna, and nephew of former Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy.
How Did The Case Come To Light? SIT Formed
The case came to light after multiple women accused Revanna of sexually abusing them and recording explicit acts on camera. In April 2024, after pen drives containing thousands of such clips began circulating in Hassan and surrounding areas, the Karnataka State Commission for Women urged the government to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which uncovered widespread sexual exploitation linked to Revanna.
By May 2024, Karnataka’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) had registered three rape cases against Prajwal Revanna, following multiple women stepping forward with allegations. A fourth case, involving charges of sexual harassment and intimidation, was added later in mid-2024, bringing the total to four criminal cases under investigation. According to Karnataka High Court records as of October 2024, Revanna was facing two rape charges and one sexual assault case, consistent with the earlier filings. Currently, the Bengaluru special court has convicted him in one of the rape cases, specifically, for the assault of a 47-year-old domestic worker, resulting in a life sentence and a fine of Rs 10 Lakh.
Who Is Prajwal Revanna?
Once a Lok Sabha MP from Hassan and a key face of the Janata Dal (Secular), Prajwal Revanna had been groomed for leadership within the party. However, the mounting legal troubles and public outrage led to his crushing defeat in the 2024 general elections.
Prajwal hails from a political family with deep roots in Karnataka. His grandfather, HD Deve Gowda, began his political career from the Holenarsipur assembly seat and eventually rose to become Prime Minister of India. His father, HD Revanna, is a senior JD(S) leader and a sitting MLA from Holenarasipura constituency, and his uncle, HD Kumaraswamy, has served as Chief Minister of Karnataka.
The sentencing is a major blow to the Gowda family’s political legacy in the Hassan region and has triggered calls for introspection within the JD(S) party. Legal experts have hailed the swift conclusion of the case as a rare but significant moment of justice in cases involving high-profile individuals.
Revanna has the option to challenge the special court verdict in the Karnataka High Court.
