A lookout notice has been issued against Janata Dal Secular (JDS) MP Prajwal Revanna amidst escalating tensions over sexual harassment allegations. Karnataka’s Home Minister G Parameshwara emphasised the urgency for Revanna to appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) conducting the probe, warning of potential arrest if he fails to comply promptly.
The SIT had previously rejected a request by Prajwal Revanna for a seven-day extension to cooperate with the investigators.
The 33-year-old Prajwal Revanna, grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, has gotten embroiled in controversy following accusations of sexual harassment by a woman who claims to have worked as a cook at the Revanna household.
The woman alleges that Prajwal Revanna also harassed her daughter via video calls. Additionally, a significant volume of explicit material purportedly involving Prajwal Revanna has circulated online.
“They have to appear. If they don’t, they would be arrested,” Minister Parameshwara stated, referring to Prajwal Revanna and his father, HD Revanna.
Prajwal Revanna’s lawyer, Arun G, previously argued that the case involves complex dimensions necessitating additional time for a comprehensive response. “He has said that he needs seven days to come and cooperate with the investigation. I feel accommodating seven days should not cause any serious difficulty to the investigation,” Arun G stated.
Prajwal Revanna has consistently denied the allegations, asserting that the videos are doctored. In a social media post, the JDS MP conveyed that he communicated through his advocate with the CID, Bangalore, as he was not in Bangalore to attend the inquiry, expressing confidence that the truth would prevail.
Meanwhile, the accusations have triggered a significant political firestorm during the election season. The JDS has formed an alliance with the BJP for the polls, prompting the Congress to launch a vigorous attack against the BJP in response to the allegations against Prajwal Revanna.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra directly addressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, criticizing his perceived silence on the matter. She highlighted the political ties between Modi and the accused leader from Karnataka, calling attention to the severity of the allegations and urging a response from Modi.
In response, Union Home Minister Amit Shah rebuffed the allegations, emphasizing the BJP’s stance against crimes targeting women and questioning the actions of the Congress government in Karnataka regarding Prajwal Revanna.
Shah emphasized the BJP’s alliance with the JDS while condemning atrocities against women, suggesting political manoeuvring behind the timing of the accusations.
The JDS, prominently representing the Vokkaliga community in south Karnataka, holds significant influence in the region, particularly in the 14 Lok Sabha seats where Vokkaliga voters play a pivotal role.
The timing and implications of the allegations against Deve Gowda’s grandson have resonated deeply within the political landscape, impacting electoral dynamics and alliances ahead of critical elections.
