A Special Court for elected representatives in Bengaluru on Saturday sentenced former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna to life imprisonment for the rape of a 47-year-old domestic worker. Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, was convicted a day earlier on multiple charges, including rape, sexual harassment, voyeurism, destruction of evidence, and offences under the Information Technology Act.
The judgment was delivered by Judge Santosh Gajanana Bhat nearly 14 months after Revanna’s arrest. The trial, which formally began just eight weeks ago, concluded swiftly with 38 hearings during which 26 witnesses were cross-examined and 180 documents examined. The prosecution also relied on a voluminous five-part chargesheet totaling 1,800 pages submitted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Emotional Appeal Rejected
On the day of sentencing, Revanna appeared visibly emotional and pleaded for leniency. He reportedly broke down in the courtroom and wept uncontrollably before the judge. However, the court declined to reduce the sentence, considering the gravity of the offences.
Background: Flight to Germany and Arrest
The case against Revanna came into sharp focus in 2024 when hundreds of pen drives allegedly containing explicit videos surfaced in his constituency. Following the controversy, Revanna flew to Germany, sparking widespread criticism and political uproar. He returned to India after the general elections and was arrested at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on May 31.
The complainant in the case was rescued from a farmhouse near Mysuru in April 2024 and later filed a police complaint. She alleged that she was kidnapped on the instructions of Revanna’s family to prevent her from pursuing legal action.
Other Pending Cases
This is just one of four cases currently pending against Revanna, all arising from the same SIT investigation. He is facing further trials for alleged sexual offences against other women, as unearthed during the ongoing probe.
With Saturday’s sentencing, Revanna becomes one of the first sitting or recently serving MPs to be sentenced to life imprisonment for such grave charges following a full-fledged trial under the IPC and the IT Act.
