The Karnataka Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the rape and sexual harassment allegations against JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna has gathered supporting details from “20 to 30” individuals, both men and women.
According to sources, the individuals include local residents near the alleged crime scene and those who submitted documents supporting the accusations of the four women who have accused the MP of rape and sexual assault. They mainly provided “circumstantial evidence,” informing investigators that they were aware of sexual assaults occurring behind closed doors, a senior officer involved in the investigation told this newspaper.
However, the police have not yet obtained any eyewitness testimonies or survivor accounts other than from the four complainants, the officer stated. “We expect more women to come forward,” the officer added.
Recently Warrant was issued against Prajwal Revanna
Last Saturday, a special court for elected representatives issued an arrest warrant against Prajwal, who had left the country last month as the allegations surfaced following the release of pen drives containing hundreds of clips of the purported crimes.
The SIT moved an application leading to the issuance of the warrant against Prajwal and his father, H D Revanna, who is currently out on conditional bail in a kidnapping case linked to the rape charges. Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda is Prajwal’s grandfather.
The SIT has sent hundreds of videos to the state’s Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Bengaluru that allegedly show Prajwal forcing himself on women. “Verification of the digital evidence or the videos is going to take time,” the officer said.
At the request of the Karnataka police, Interpol previously issued a Blue Corner Notice to locate Prajwal. “We know where he is staying, but we cannot disclose the location as the investigation is ongoing,” the officer said, adding that efforts are underway to bring the accused back.
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