Karnataka: SIT files chargesheet against Prajwal, his father Revanna

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Karnataka Police has filed a chargesheet in the first of four cases of sexual assault and harassment against former Janata Dal Secular (JDS) MP Prajwal Revanna  and his father HD Revanna. The chargesheet pertains to allegations of sexual assault and harassment made by a former employee of the Revanna family. “A comprehensive, 2,144-page chargesheet against Prajwal Revanna was submitted to the Special People’s Court in Bengaluru,” the SIT said in an official statement on Friday. The case’s FIR was registered by the Holenarasipura Town police four months ago, on April 28.
"The SIT carried out an extensive investigation into the case, questioning over 150 witnesses and documenting the statements of both victims and witnesses under section 164 of the CrPC, including details about the crime scenes and locations," the SIT said after submitting the chargesheet.This charge sheet is the first to be filed in connection with the four cases of sexual assault and harassment, and includes statements from approximately 150 witnesses.Prajwal Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, has been accused of raping four women and recording sexual acts with more than 70 women. Reports suggest that over 2,000 such videos were recorded by him. Shortly after voting concluded in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka on April 26, sex tapes allegedly involving Prajwal Revanna began circulating in the Hassan district. In the chargesheet, SIT had charged Prajwal with destruction of evidence under the then IPC Section 201, stating: "Prajwal had recorded on his mobile phone his sexual assault on the woman complainant at his Bengaluru residence. Similarly, he had taken screenshots of a video call made to the maid's daughter, where she was forced to remove her clothes.
One of the accusers is a former worker at Prajwal’s house in Holenarasipura town and is related to Bhavani Revanna, Prajwal’s mother. His father, HD Revanna, who is the Holenarasipura MLA, has also been accused of sexually harassing her. The SIT later filed an FIR against Prajwal for allegedly sexually assaulting the woman's daughter, with a charge sheet already filed in that case. Prajwal's father, H.D. Revanna, who was arrested on May 4 in connection with an alleged abduction case, was released from the Central Jail at Parappana Agrahara on May 14, a day after being granted bail by a special court. Prajwal, however, remains lodged in Central Jail after a magistrate placed him in judicial custody.

(State Correspondent)