In a significant development, Prajwal Revanna, the suspended JD(S) MP facing allegations of sexually abusing several women, was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) immediately after landing at Kempegowda International Airport. The 33-year-old, who arrived from Munich in the early hours of May 31, was taken to the CID office for interrogation, according to SIT sources.
Upon arrival, Prajwal Revanna underwent various medical tests, including checks for blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and cardiac health, at Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital. Security was heightened at the hospital in anticipation of his arrival. The SIT is also considering conducting a potency test on Prajwal Revanna.
The SIT plans to present Prajwal Revanna before the Special Court for Public Representatives and is expected to request police custody for further interrogation. His bail plea, along with that of his mother Bhavani Revanna, will be heard later today by the Special Court.
State Home Minister G Parameshwara confirmed the arrest, stating, “Prajwal Revanna landed around 12:40 am to 12:50 am from Germany’s Munich, as there was an arrest warrant against him. The SIT accordingly arrested him and took him into custody. They will follow further legal procedures.” Before his arrival, the Hassan MP had made a last-minute attempt to avoid arrest by seeking bail from the court.
Also Read: Karnataka sex videos case: Prajwal Revanna files anticipatory bail plea
Prajwal Revanna faces three sexual abuse cases, while his mother, Bhavani Revanna, has sought anticipatory bail in an alleged kidnapping case. Although Bhavani is not an accused, the SIT reportedly wishes to investigate her role.
In the same case, Bhavani’s husband, Holenarasipura MLA H D Revanna, who is the son of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, was previously arrested and released on bail. He faces accusations of sexually harassing the household cook, who also alleged abuse by Prajwal.
The 33-year-old Prajwal, grandson of Deve Gowda and the BJP-JD(S) alliance candidate from the Hassan Lok Sabha segment, has been booked in three cases of sexual assault. He left for Germany on April 27, a day after the polls in Hassan, and a ‘Blue Corner Notice’ was issued by Interpol for his whereabouts following a request from the SIT via the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
In a video statement earlier this week, Prajwal Revanna termed the cases against him as false and alleged a political conspiracy. He claimed to have gone into depression due to the accusations. He also filed an anticipatory bail plea at the Principal City and Sessions Court for Elected Representatives on May 29, which subsequently issued a notice to the SIT to file objections, with the hearing set for today.
The scandal has sparked a political storm, with the ruling Congress and the BJP-JD(S) alliance engaged in a heated exchange. While the Congress government formed the SIT to probe the cases, the BJP and JD(S) have demanded that the investigation be handed over to the CBI, calling for action against those responsible for circulating explicit videos.
The sexual abuse allegations surfaced after several pen drives reportedly containing explicit videos of Prajwal were circulated in Hassan ahead of the Lok Sabha polls on April 26.
Recently, H D Deve Gowda issued a stern warning to Prajwal Revanna, urging him to return to the country and face the investigation, emphasizing that there would be no interference from family members in the enquiry. Deve Gowda insisted that his grandson should receive the harshest punishment under the law if found guilty.
Former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, Prajwal’s uncle, also repeatedly appealed to his nephew to return to the country and face the probe. Following the allegations, the JD(S) has suspended Prajwal Revanna from the party.
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