JD(S) Leader HD Revanna, Prajwal's Father, Taken Into SIT Custody In Bengaluru Over Kidnapping Case
JD(S) leader HD Revanna was taken into custody by SIT officials in connection with a kidnapping case registered against him at KR Nagar police station, in Bengaluru.
JD(S) MLA H D Revanna, whose son Prajwal is embroiled in sexual abuse allegations, was apprehended by authorities on Saturday, according to police. The arrest comes following the rejection of his anticipatory bail plea by the court, news agency PTI reported. Earlier in the day, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara disclosed that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had issued a lookout notice against Revanna.
The arrest took place at the Padmanabhanagar residence of his father, JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, and Revanna was subsequently taken to the SIT office.
The case stems from accusations of abduction filed against Revanna and his confidant Sathish Babanna in Mysuru, allegedly to prevent a woman from testifying against Prajwal, who is contesting the Hassan Lok Sabha seat on the BJP-JD(S) ticket, according to PTI's report. Prajwal Revanna, the grandson of Deve Gowda, has been implicated in alleged sexual abuse, with explicit video clips circulating in Hassan prompting the state government to initiate a SIT probe.
The arrest has happened in connection with a kidnapping case, news agency ANI reported.
#WATCH | Karnataka: JD(S) leader HD Revanna taken into custody by SIT officials in connection with a kidnapping case registered against him at KR Nagar police station, in Bengaluru.
— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2024
More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/9ciIjhlmmu
According to PTI, law enforcement officials rescued the abducted woman from a farmhouse allegedly linked to Revanna at Kalenahalli village in Hunsur taluk of Mysuru district. This was the second FIR registered against Revanna, with the first pertaining to sexual harassment allegations filed at the Holenarsipura police station in Hassan.
The sexual abuse allegations against the father-son duo surfaced when a woman, who previously worked at Revanna's residence, filed a complaint at the Holenarsipura police station. Subsequently, another FIR was lodged against HD Revanna and his confidant Sathish Babanna in Mysuru for allegedly abducting a woman, also purportedly a victim of sexual abuse.
The Home Minister further revealed that Revanna has until the evening to present himself for questioning before the SIT. "Second notice was given to him. In the meantime, in the Mysuru kidnap case he is said to have applied for bail," Parameshwara added.
Regarding developments in the Mysuru kidnap case, Parameshwara commented, "Such things keep happening... arrests will be happening, lookout notices have been issued, several other developments will be happening, many things may not come to the public domain."
Karnataka Home Minister Parameshwara On Prajwal's Potential Arrest
Responding to inquiries about the arrest of Satish Babanna but not Revanna, Parameshwara clarified, "He (Revanna) has been given an opportunity, notice has been given to him under section 41 A of CrPC and he will have to appear (before SIT). He has been served the second notice and he has 24 hours time, which will end today, after which whatever action should be taken will be taken."
Addressing concerns about Prajwal's potential arrest, Parameshwara asserted, "He will have to come back (from abroad). If not today, day-after-tomorrow or after that he will have to come. After that, procedurally, whatever has to be done, like arrest and other things will be done."
Prajwal Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, had contested in the Lok Sabha polls from Hassan. However, explicit video clips allegedly involving him surfaced, prompting the state government to form an SIT to investigate the matter.
The unfolding scandal has injected itself into the political sphere ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spearheading attacks against Prajwal and calling for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's apology. "Prajwal fled the country under the very nose of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah," Gandhi alleged, claiming Prajwal's involvement in the abuse of nearly 400 women.
In response, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has urged the Prime Minister to cancel Prajwal's diplomatic passport, while the BJP has distanced itself from the controversy, affirming that it concerns only the MP, and asserted that the law will run its course. BJP leader Amit Shah, in a counter-attack, accused the Siddaramaiah government of negligence, allowing Prajwal to leave the country without timely intervention.
With the second phase of polling in 14 constituencies in Karnataka slated for May 7, both Congress and the BJP-JD(S) alliance are engaging in a political blame game over the scandal.
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