Prajwal Revanna, convicted for sexual assault, experienced a downfall from political grace after explicit allegations surfaced, leading to his sentencing in Karnataka.
Ex-MP from Karnataka Sentenced to Life for Rape Conviction
Ex-MP from Karnataka Sentenced to Life for Rape Conviction
A prominent former Indian politician faces life imprisonment for raping a member of his domestic staff.
In a landmark ruling, Prajwal Revanna, a former Member of Parliament from Karnataka and scion of a powerful political dynasty, was handed a life sentence by a local court after being found guilty of raping one of his domestic employees. The case, which ignited a nationwide scandal, began when a series of explicit videos implicating Revanna circulated widely on social media in 2023.
The 34-year-old, who is the grandson of H. D. Deve Gowda, a former Prime Minister and leader of the Janata Dal (Secular) party, had initially fled the country in April 2024, evading immediate arrest. Following his return from Germany a month later, Revanna was apprehended and charged. In court, he sought leniency as he pleaded for a lighter sentence, yet the judge delivered a firm verdict on Saturday, acknowledging the gravity of the crime.
Revanna continues to maintain his innocence, claiming the videos were altered, and he has indicated plans to appeal the decision. This case marks a rare instance of accountability for a political figure in India, where such allegations often go unpunished. In addition to the current charges, Revanna is also facing two other allegations of rape and a sexual harassment case, all of which he vehemently denies.
