JDS Leader Prajwal Revanna Returns from Germany, Arrested on Sexual Misconduct Charges.
Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna Arrested on Sexual Assault Charges Upon Return from Germany
Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, who had departed India on April 27, has been arrested upon his return from Germany. The NDA candidate and incumbent Hassan MP, who left the country last month amidst sexual assault allegations, was taken into custody just after midnight at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport in Karnataka on charges of rape.
Bengaluru: Karnataka legislator Prajwal Revanna, who recently traveled to Germany amid allegations of sexual misconduct, was arrested upon his return to Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport. He arrived on Lufthansa flight LH0764 and was apprehended just after midnight by a special police unit investigating the charges against him.
Background and Arrest: Revanna, a prominent Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) leader, left for Germany last month following accusations by several women claiming he coerced them into sexual acts, which were allegedly recorded. Sources revealed he had previously canceled his flights back to India twice. A special court in Bengaluru denied his anticipatory bail request on Thursday, leading to his arrest.
Search and Seizure: Authorities have conducted searches at Revanna’s residence in Hassan, seizing materials deemed incriminating.
Public Apology: On Monday, Revanna issued a video statement on X (formerly Twitter), apologizing to his parents and attributing his actions to depression caused by political rivals’ attacks. He pledged to cooperate with the police investigation and mentioned he would appear before the authorities on May 31.
Family Pressure: Revanna’s grandfather, JDS patriarch HD Deve Gowda, and his uncle, former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, had both urged him to return to India and face the charges. Gowda explicitly warned him of familial repercussions if he did not comply.
Political Repercussions: The BJP has distanced itself from the controversy, with state unit head S Prakash stating the party has no involvement or comments on the matter. Internal tensions within the JDS surfaced as party leader Sharangouda Kandkur had warned about the potential fallout if these allegations became public.
Case Timeline:
- April 27: Allegations against Revanna surface, and he departs for Munich using his diplomatic passport. He issues a statement on X, asserting his innocence without addressing the charges.
- April 28: A former maid files a sexual assault complaint in Hassan, implicating both Revanna and his father, HD Revanna.
- May 1: Another woman accuses Prajwal Revanna of repeated rape, including at gunpoint.
- May 3: A 60-year-old woman also accuses him of rape.
- May 7: Interpol issues a Blue Corner notice to gather information about Revanna.
- May 18: A warrant is issued for Revanna’s arrest.
- May 23: External Affairs Ministry confirms a show-cause notice regarding Revanna’s diplomatic passport.
Current Status: Revanna faces three separate cases of sexual assault and maintains that these accusations are part of a conspiracy by his political opponents. The investigation continues as authorities work to resolve the charges against him.
Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna Arrested at Bengaluru Airport on Rape Charges :
After receiving a tip-off from Interpol on Thursday afternoon, a Karnataka Police Special Investigation Team (SIT), alongside Bengaluru police and immigration authorities, coordinated to apprehend MP Prajwal Revanna at Kempegowda International Airport.
The Janata Dal-Secular leader, who returned on Lufthansa flight LH0764, was detained by the SIT, which is investigating the sexual assault allegations against him.
Prajwal’s flight landed in Bengaluru at 12:49 am on Friday. According to Interpol information shared with Karnataka authorities, the flight departed from Munich, Germany, at 12:05 pm local time (3:35 pm IST) on Thursday, as reported by The Indian Express.
Revanna, the NDA candidate for the Hassan Lok Sabha seat, fled India in April after explicit video clips surfaced, showing him sexually abusing multiple women. He departed for Germany the day after the Hassan constituency voted in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections on April 26.
So far, three rape cases have been filed against Prajwal Revanna.
Prajwal Revanna Arrest Shakes Up Lok Sabha Elections: Political Reactions Anticipated
The arrest of MP Prajwal Revanna amid the Lok Sabha elections has put the spotlight on the political arena, with keen attention on the Congress’s response to this development. The handling of this case by the BJP and its impact on BJP-JD(S) relations will be crucial to watch.
