Bengaluru court extends Prajwal Revanna’s SIT custody till 10 June in sexual abuse case

The extension of custody was granted on Thursday, with the court acknowledging the need for further investigation. The SIT sought additional time to gather more evidence and interrogate the accused comprehensively.

Also Read: NDA candidate Prajwal Revanna, accused of sexual abuse, loses in Hassan

The arrest

SIT officials arrested Revanna soon after he landed at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport from Germany on 31 May.

He had left for Germany on 27 April, a day after Hassan went to the polls. A ‘Blue Corner Notice’ seeking information on his whereabouts had earlier been issued by Interpol, following a request by the SIT via the CBI.

A Special Court for Elected Representatives issued an arrest warrant against Revanna on 18 May, following an application moved by the SIT.

He was arrested in a case registered against him in Holenarasipura in Hassan district on 28 April. He was accused of sexually harassing a 47-year-old former maid. He is listed as accused number two, while his father and MLA, HD Revanna, is the primary accused.

Prajwal Revanna has been booked in three cases of sexual assault. There are also charges of rape against him.

The cases of sexual abuse came to light after pen drives containing explicit videos allegedly involving Prajwal Revanna were reportedly circulated in Hassan, ahead of Lok Sabha polls there on 26 April.

Also Read: SIT launches searches in multiple locations for Bhavani Revanna

To arrest Bhavani soon

On 2 June, the SIT carried out searches at various locations for Bhavani Revanna — Prajwal’s mother — in connection with the kidnap case as she was not present at her residence at Holenarasipura in Hassan district, sources said.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said a search is on to “arrest” Bhavani, who is found “absconding”. She is hiding somewhere and will be arrested soon, he added.

“They (Special Investigation Team) are searching for her (Bhavani) to arrest her. It’s not known where she is. She will be arrested once she is found. It is a due process of law and nothing else,” Parameshwara told reporters in Bengaluru.

The SIT had issued a notice to Bhavani asking her to be present at home on 1 June as there was a need to question her in the cases linked to her son. When a team of SIT sleuths reached Bhavani’s house, ‘Chennambika Nilaya’, she was not present.

Two women lawyers reached ‘Chennambika Nilaya’ on Saturday evening and met the SIT officials. They did not disclose the purpose behind the meeting.

It is learnt that Bhavani had communicated through her lawyers that she was unwell and would appear before them shortly.

Bhavani’s husband and Holenarasipura JD(S) MLA HD Revanna is on bail in the same case.

(With PTI inputs)