High Court however, was not convinced that this would indicate any bias on the part of the trial judge.
Published Sep 24, 2025 | 6:29 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 24, 2025 | 6:29 PM
Prajwal Revanna
Synopsis: “The observations in the judgment may sound a bit harsh but that cannot be construed as a bias on the part of the presiding officer. Admittedly, the petitioner has tried to drag the case and resort to delay tactics which has been frowned upon by the trial court. If that can be a ground for transfer of a criminal case, there would be petitions filed for transfer in almost all criminal cases where the accused feels that he may get convicted. This practice cannot be permitted,” the High Court held.
Karnataka High Court on Wednesday, 24 September, dismissed two petitions by former JD (S) MP Prajwal Revanna, to transfer trial in two pending rape cases against him from 81st Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge at Bengaluru to some other sessions court.
According to Bar and Bench, Justice MI Arun rejected arguments that present trial judge is likely to be biased against Revanna since the same judge had earlier convicted the legislator in another rape case.
Revanna’s counsel pointed out that trial court judge criticised both Revanna and his lawyer in the judgment.
High Court however, was not convinced that this would indicate any bias on the part of the trial judge.
“The observations in the judgment may sound a bit harsh but that cannot be construed as a bias on the part of the presiding officer. Admittedly, the petitioner has tried to drag the case and resort to delay tactics which has been frowned upon by the trial court. If that can be a ground for transfer of a criminal case, there would be petitions filed for transfer in almost all criminal cases where the accused feels that he may get convicted. This practice cannot be permitted,” the High Court held.
In August, a Special Court in Bengaluru has sentenced Prajwal Revanna to life imprisonment in the farmhouse rape case registered against him at the Holenarasipura Rural Police Station.
A fine of ₹10 lakh, too, has been imposed on him, of which ₹7 lakh must be given to the survivor.
The quantum of sentence pronounced on 2 August, was in the first of the four rape and sexual harassment cases against the former MP. The court had found him guilty on 1 August. He has been awarded the maximum punishment under 376(2)(n) of the Indian Penal Code.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Nolan Patrick Pinto)
