The prosecution invoked nine principles for bail in appeals, including the nature of the offense, accused's antecedents, and societal impact.
Published Nov 24, 2025 | 5:38 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 24, 2025 | 5:46 PM
Tainted ex-JDS MP Prajwal Revanna
Synopsis: Karnataka High Court on Monday heard Prajwal Revanna’s plea to suspend life sentence and grant bail in rape case. The prosecutor opposed, citing his escape to Germany, non-cooperation, and heinous crime against domestic help. The hearing has been adjourned to tomorrow. Revanna, former Hassan MP, faces three more sexual assault cases.
The Karnataka High Court on Monday, 24 November, heard arguments in former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna’s application seeking suspension of his life imprisonment sentence and interim bail, following his conviction in a high-profile rape case.
Special Public Prosecutor Professor Ravivarma Kumar, representing the SIT, vehemently opposed the plea, highlighting Revanna’s non-cooperation, political influence, and the gravity of the offenses.
Revanna, grandson of former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, was sentenced to life imprisonment by a special POCSO court in the first of four sexual assault cases against him. The charges stem from allegations of repeated rape and sexual exploitation of a domestic help at his residence during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021.
The case gained notoriety after explicit videos surfaced online ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, triggering widespread outrage.
During the hearing before a single-judge bench, Kumar detailed Revanna’s conduct post-incident.
“The appellant was a lawmaker whose conduct should have been exemplary,” Kumar argued, noting that Revanna fled to Germany immediately after casting his vote on 23 April, 2024, despite awareness of the viral videos—over 2,000 photographs and 50 videos, including 30-40 depicting specific acts of rape.
He secured an ex-parte injunction against media houses on 2 June, 2023, and filed a complaint with election authorities, but did not pursue criminal or civil action against the video leak. Upon return, he was arrested at Bengaluru airport in a related rape case, not having surrendered voluntarily.
“He did not furnish the phone used to record the acts; he claims it was lost in Germany,” the prosecutor said, adding that a copy from his driver’s device was seized instead.
The prosecution invoked nine principles for bail in appeals, including the nature of the offense, accused’s antecedents, and societal impact.
“This is a heinous offence—rape by an employer against a gullible village servant,” Kumar submitted, pointing to trial court findings of repeated assaults. He warned that granting bail would make Revanna “a menace to society,” potentially leading to further offenses and jeopardizing an ongoing abduction case against his parents, who allegedly kidnapped the victim twice to silence her.
Kumar also alleged misuse of political clout. “The entire district machinery, including IAS officers, protected the appellant and his father, failing the victim.”
Revanna frustrated the trial through 10-12 adjournments, allegations against the judge, and his counsel’s withdrawal just before evidence recording. Despite a special court and High Court monitoring, as directed in Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay’s case, the SIT urged expeditious hearing without bail.
The bench queried the lack of interim stay during prior proceedings and pressed for merits-based arguments, given three other pending cases. Revanna’s counsel focused on evidentiary issues rather than delay. Hearing adjourned for Tuesday, 25 November, with Kumar stressing no risk of prolonged appeal disposal.
The scandal erupted in May 2024 when videos implicated Revanna in multiple assaults, prompting the Karnataka Women’s Commission to demand an SIT probe. Four FIRs followed, including under POCSO Act. Revanna, who lost the Hassan Lok Sabha seat, has denied the charges, claiming political vendetta.
