Rape and sexual harassment case: The Special People Representative Court in Bengaluru on Wednesday (June 26) rejected the bail plea of former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, who is facing charges of rape and sexual harassment in multiple cases.
The 33-year-old is currently held in custody by a Special Investigation Team, which was set up to investigate allegations of his involvement in sex crimes. He is accused in a case filed at Holenarasipura police station along with his father, HD Revanna. Several explicit videos purportedly showing him surfaced days before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Another FIR registered against Prajwal Revanna
Another FIR has been filed against former MP Revanna on charges of sexual harassment, stalking, and criminal intimidation, police sources said on Tuesday. Alongside him, three others, including former BJP MLA from Hassan Preetham Gowda, have also been named in the FIR for allegedly sharing images captured by Prajwal during the sexual harassment of the victim on a video call, they added. With this new FIR, it marks the fourth case registered against Prajwal.
The case has been registered under sections 355 A (sexual harassment), 354 B (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 354 D (stalking), 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code and 66 E (punishment for violation of privacy) of the Information Technology Act, according to the police sources.
Background and arrest
The 33-year-old politician, who recently lost his bid to retain the Hassan parliamentary constituency, was arrested by SIT officials upon his return from Germany on May 31. He had departed for Germany on April 27, a day after the polling in Hassan.
A Special Court for Elected Representatives issued an arrest warrant against Prajwal on May 18, following an application moved by the SIT.
Earlier, a 'Blue Corner Notice' was issued by Interpol, prompted by a request from the SIT via the Central Bureau of Investigation, seeking information on Revanna's whereabouts. His arrest relates to cases filed in Holenarasipura, Hassan district, on April 28, including allegations of sexually harassing a former maid and charges of rape.
The cases of sexual abuse came to light after pen-drives containing explicit videos allegedly involving Prajwal were reportedly circulated in Hassan ahead of the Lok Sabha polls there on April 26. The JD(S) suspended him from the party following the cases filed against him.
As investigations continue, the judiciary and law enforcement agencies are expected to pursue the case diligently to ascertain the facts and uphold justice in light of the serious allegations against the former MP.
(With PTI inputs)
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