Bengaluru: In a major verdict, a special court for elected representatives in Bengaluru has sentenced former MP Prajwal Revanna to life imprisonment in a high-profile rape case involving a woman from KR Nagar in Mysuru. The court also imposed a fine and directed a compensation of ₹11 lakh to the survivor.
Judge Santosh Gajanan Bhat, presiding over the special court, pronounced the final verdict today after concluding hearings on July 29. Revanna was found guilty under multiple sections of the IPC, including:
- Section 376(2)(k) – life imprisonment for rape
- Section 376(2)(n) – life imprisonment for repeated rape
- Section 354 and 354B – three years’ rigorous imprisonment each for outraging modesty and assault
- ₹7 lakh in compensation ordered under these charges
The case stems from a complaint by a domestic worker who accused Prajwal of sexually assaulting her multiple times since 2021 at the family’s farmhouse. She also alleged that he threatened to release obscene videos if she revealed the abuse.
During the trial, the court examined 26 witnesses, including Revanna, and considered allegations under sexual harassment, criminal intimidation, and illegal circulation of intimate content. The verdict had been reserved on July 18, but was deferred to July 30 for further clarification before being announced today.
Prajwal Revanna, 34, is also the prime accused in three other ongoing criminal cases filed in 2024, involving more than 2,000 sexually explicit video clips that surfaced on social media, sparking public outrage. He was arrested on May 31, 2024.
Another FIR in this case alleges the victim was abducted and confined at a farmhouse near Hunsur to prevent the rape incident from coming to light. The case also names nine accused, including former minister H.D. Revanna and Bhavani Revanna.
Following the emergence of multiple sexual abuse allegations and the criminal proceedings, the Janata Dal (Secular) suspended Prajwal Revanna and distanced itself from his actions. He also lost the 2024 Lok Sabha election from the Hassan constituency.
