Facing a barrage of serious allegations, Prajwal Revanna, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate for the Hassan Lok Sabha constituency, and his father, H D Revanna, find themselves embroiled in further legal trouble. Two additional First Information Reports (FIRs) have been lodged against them, adding to the existing three, in Hassan, Mysuru, and Bengaluru respectively, news agency PTI reported.
Fresh FIRs Against Prajwal Revanna And His Father H D Revanna
The first FIR, filed by the CID in Bengaluru on Wednesday, stems from a complaint made by a JD(S) party worker. She alleged that was raped at gunpoint by Prajwal, PTI reported. Subsequently, Prajwal purportedly recorded a video of the assault and used it to blackmail her, threatening to release it publicly unless she complied with his demands. This deeply disturbing allegation has sent shockwaves through the community.
In her complaint, JD(S) worker claimed that Prajwal had taken her to the MP quarters where he raped her at gunpoint and threatened that he would kill her as well as her husband, if she divulged it to anyone. The accused also allegedly demanded that she satisfy his lust whenever he demanded and threatened to make her video public if she refused, according to PTI.
In a parallel incident, a second FIR was filed in Mysuru on Thursday night, this time implicating Prajwal's father, Revanna, and his associate Sathish Babanna. The complainant recounted his mother's abduction, which he attributed to Revanna and Babanna's machinations. According to the complainant, his mother, who had previously worked at Revanna's residence, was forcibly taken away by Babanna under Revanna's instructions, PTI's report stated. The situation escalated when the complainant was told that a video depicting his mother's alleged abuse at the hands of Prajwal had surfaced. Following this, the complainant sought urgent police intervention.
Babanna has been apprehended and is currently undergoing interrogation in connection with the case, PTI reported.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed police to locate and safeguard all potential victims.
BJP And The JD(S) Knew About Prajwal Revanna's Videos: Siddaramaiah
Earlier in the day, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the filing of a rape case against him. The Chief Minister revealed, "A rape case has been filed against Prajwal, the JD(S)-BJP alliance candidate for Hassan Lok Sabha."
Addressing the situation, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his concern and directed the police to identify and assist all potential victims. He criticised both the JD(S) and the BJP for their handling of the matter, questioning their decision to field Prajwal despite prior knowledge of the allegations. "Both the BJP and the JD(S) knew about Prajwal Revanna's videos," Siddaramaiah stated, as quoted by PTI.
In a separate development, Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara revealed that a second notice has been served to JD(S) MLA and former minister Revanna in connection with cases of molestation and abduction.
As charges against him were of non-bailable nature, Revanna opted to withdraw his bail application in a Bengaluru sessions court. This move came following the registration of a molestation case against him and his son Prajwal. The allegations of sexual abuse against Prajwal surfaced after explicit video clips began circulating widely.
Prompted by these allegations, the Karnataka government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case, following a complaint lodged by the State Commission for Women chairperson Nagalakshmi Chowdhary. The JD(S) leadership has suspended Prajwal from the party.