The Karnataka CID's Special Investigation Team (SIT) has made progress in their ongoing probe into accusations of sexual misconduct against former JDS MP Prajwal Revanna and his father, HD Revanna. On Friday, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted a detailed 2,144-page chargesheet in Bengaluru's special court for elected representatives, the first in a series of four cases being investigated.
Prajwal Revanna has been accused of committing rape, while HD Revanna is facing allegations of sexual harassment. The chargesheet outlines the severity of the accusations and contains substantial evidence against both individuals.
As per the chargesheet, HD Revanna is the primary accused and has been charged under Sections 354 and 354 (A) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which relate to assault or criminal force against a woman with the intention to outrage her modesty and sexual harassment. Prajwal Revanna, marked as accused number two, is accused of offenses under Sections 376, 376 (2)(k), 354, 354 (a), and 354 (b) of the IPC, including rape, aggravated sexual assault, and various sexual misconduct acts.
Over 130 witnesses, forensic evidence and video clips have been listed in the chargesheet confirming Revanna's involvement in the case. The document alleges that HD Revanna harassed the domestic help on multiple occasions between 2019 and 2022, while Prajwal Revanna raped the victim in 2020 after his mother, Bhavani Revanna, brought her to their home for cleaning duties.
The Revanna family's accusations surfaced after more than 2,900 videos showing different cases of sexual assault, including on social media, were circulated. The seriousness of the situation became clear when a First Information Report was filed on April 28 at the police station in Holenaraseepur town, Hassan district, alleging sexual harassment, stalking, criminal intimidation, and insulting the modesty of a woman by both Prajwal Revanna and HD Revanna.
The complaint from one of the victims led to the initiation of the criminal case. The case is being thoroughly investigated by the SIT under the guidance of BK Singh, a senior IPS officer.Amidst the political and public outcry that followed, Prajwal Revanna fled to Germany shortly after the April 26 Lok Sabha elections. He was arrested upon his return to India on May 31 and was in SIT custody from May 31 to June 10. He was further held in connection with the second and third rape cases until June 18 and June 24, respectively. Prajwal Revanna is currently in judicial custody.
HD Revanna, who was granted bail in May this year for both kidnapping and sexual assault cases by a special court, had his bail order stayed by the Karnataka High Court, reflecting the ongoing judicial scrutiny and seriousness of the charges against him. The chargesheet filed by the SIT represents a critical step in the judicial process, underscoring the legal proceedings that both Prajwal Revanna and HD Revanna will face as the investigation continues.
TAGS: SIT chargesheet Prajwal Revanna HD Revanna sexual assault harassment Karnataka CID JDS MP rape charges forensic evidence IPC Sections 376 354 special court judicial custody bail Karnataka High Court.