Former Karnataka MP Prajwal Revanna Convicted in Rape Case

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Former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, grandson of former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda, has been convicted in a rape case by a special court in Bengaluru. This marks the first conviction among four pending cases against him. The court is expected to announce the quantum of his sentence on Saturday.

The case was filed by a 47-year-old domestic worker who accused Revanna of repeatedly raping her at the family’s farmhouse in Holenarasipura and their residence in Padmanabhanagar during the COVID-19 lockdown period. The court relied on multiple forms of evidence, including testimonies from 26 witnesses, digital evidence, DNA reports, and a video that allegedly showed the crime being recorded by Revanna himself.

Special Judge Santhosh Gajanan Bhat presided over the case, which was heard in the Special Court for Elected Representatives. Following the verdict, Revanna reportedly broke down in court.

The charges were filed under several provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including those related to rape by a person in authority, repeated rape, voyeurism, criminal intimidation, and destruction of evidence. Additional charges under the Information Technology Act were also considered.

Revanna was arrested in May 2024 after over 2,000 explicit videos allegedly involving him circulated online just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. He briefly fled the country before returning and being arrested. A 1,632-page chargesheet was later filed by the Special Investigation Team, which included video analysis, mobile phone data, and material evidence.

The verdict has shaken the political landscape in Karnataka, especially within the Gowda family’s Janata Dal (Secular) party. Revanna’s father, H. D. Revanna, declined to comment on the conviction.

Legal experts suggest the court may impose a minimum sentence of ten years or life imprisonment, depending on the severity of charges upheld. Further hearings are expected to continue on Saturday to determine the punishment.