The Karnataka High Court has reserved its verdict on the bail application of former Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna, who is entangled in multiple allegations of sexual assault and rape. The decision came after a detailed hearing on Thursday, where Justice M Nagaprasanna reviewed the arguments presented in Revanna’s initial case and two related anticipatory bail pleas.
Senior Advocate Prabhuling K Navadgi, representing Revanna, dissected the timeline of events, highlighting that the initial complaint did not directly accuse Revanna of sexual misconduct but rather his father. He emphasized the four-year gap between the alleged incidents and the formal complaint, questioning the credibility of the accusations given the delay.
Navadgi pointed out discrepancies in the forensic evidence and the statements from the victim and her daughter, asserting that no conclusive links were found connecting Revanna to any incriminating videos. He also noted that the mobile phone in question belonged to Revanna’s driver, and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) results were inconclusive.
On the other hand, Special Public Prosecutor Professor Ravivarma Kumar, representing the state, argued that the victim was threatened by Revanna, which justified the delay in filing the complaint. Kumar stressed that these threats were substantiated in further statements by the victim, and forensic evidence supported the allegations, especially concerning the victim’s daughter.
The courtroom discussions also touched upon the absence of Revanna’s phone, which is said to contain critical evidence. Kumar alleged that Revanna had fled the country to avoid prosecution, a claim that adds to the gravity of the case against him.
The allegations against Revanna have significantly impacted his political career and public image. He was unsuccessful in retaining his seat in the Hassan parliamentary constituency in the recent polls, and the Janata Dal (Secular) has suspended him following the charges. The legal battles stem from multiple complaints, including accusations by a former maid and a former member of the Hassan Zilla Panchayat, among others.
