A Special Court in Bengaluru delivered a landmark verdict on Saturday, sentencing former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna to life imprisonment in a shocking rape case.
The Special Court for MPs/MLAs, presided over by Judge Santosh Gajanan Bhat, also imposed a hefty fine of Rs 10 lakh on the disgraced politician.
**Prajwal’s Emotional Plea for Leniency**
During the sentencing hearing, the 34-year-old Revanna broke down in court, pleading for a lighter punishment. Claiming innocence, he argued that his rapid rise in politics had made him a target.
“I have done nothing wrong. My only mistake was growing too fast in politics,” he told the court.
A mechanical engineering graduate, Revanna insisted he had always succeeded on merit and denied the allegations, stating, “They say I raped multiple women, but none came forward voluntarily—they were brought in just days before the elections.”
He further questioned the credibility of the victim’s complaint, pointing out that she had not reported the alleged rape to her husband or family until after explicit videos surfaced. “I have not seen my parents in six months. I beg the court for mercy,” he pleaded.
The Case: A Harrowing Tale of Abuse
The conviction stems from one of four sexual assault cases against Revanna.
The victim, a 48-year-old domestic worker employed at his family’s farmhouse in Holenarasipura, Hassan district, was allegedly raped twice—once at the farmhouse and again at his Bengaluru residence in 2021. Disturbingly, Revanna reportedly recorded the assaults on his phone.
Legal Charges & Prosecution’s Strong Stand
Revanna was found guilty under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the IT Act, including:
– Sections 376(2)(k) & 376(2)(n) (rape by a person in a position of dominance & repeated rape)
– Sections 354A, 354B, 354C(sexual harassment, assault with intent to disrobe, voyeurism)
– **Section 506** (criminal intimidation)
– **Section 201** (destruction of evidence)
– **Section 66E of the IT Act** (violation of privacy)
The prosecution, led by Special Public Prosecutor Ashok Nayak, presented a strong case, relying on digital evidence, DNA reports, forensic analysis, and witness testimonies**. The victim’s clothes from the day of the assault were also recovered, strengthening the case.
Fall from Grace
Prajwal Revanna, the grandson of former PM H.D. Deve Gowda, saw his political career collapse after pen drives containing explicit videos were circulated in Hassan just before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Following a SIT probe, he was arrested upon his return from Germany in May 2024. The JD(S) swiftly suspended him, and he lost his bid to retain the Hassan seat.
Justice Served, But Questions Remain
While the court’s verdict brings closure to one case, Revanna faces three more pending cases related to sexual abuse. The ruling underscores the judiciary’s stance on crimes against women, especially those involving powerful figures.
**#PrajwalRevanna #JusticeServed #LifeImprisonment #RapeCase #BengaluruCourt #JDSCrisis #WomensRights #LegalVerdict #HolenarasipuraCase #PoliticalScandal*