The petition was briefly heard by Justice SR Krishna Kumar, before being re-listed, following Additional Special Pubic Prosecutor BN Jagadeesha's request.
Published Jun 16, 2025 | 1:39 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 16, 2025 | 1:39 PM
Prajwal Revanna
Synopsis: The Karnataka High Court re-listed Prajwal Revanna’s bail plea to 20 June in a rape and sexual assault case. Revanna, in custody for 1.5 years, faces charges under IPC sections including 376 and 354, and IT Act 66E. The case gained national attention in April 2024 after explicit videos surfaced, prompting an SIT probe and his eventual arrest.
The Karnataka High Court on Monday, 16 June, re-listed former MP Prajwal Revanna’s bail petition in the rape and sexual assault case to Friday, 20 June.
The petition was briefly heard by Justice SR Krishna Kumar, before being re-listed, following Additional Special Pubic Prosecutor (ASPP) BN Jagadeesha’s request.
According to Bar and Bench, senior advocate Prabhuling Navadgi, appearing for Prajwal Revanna, argued that the accused has been in judicial custody for the past one and a half years, while the allegation pertains to an incident that allegedly took place five years ago, with the primary accusation made against Accused No.1.
Sr Adv Prabhuling Navadgi appears for Revanna: I am in judicial custody for last 1.5 years … Allegation is of an incident that took place 5 years ago -alleging primarily against accused no.1. I am accused no.2- saying molestation. Later 376 (rape) is added by Sec 164 statement
— Bar and Bench (@barandbench) June 16, 2025
“I am named as Accused No.2, with the initial allegation being of molestation. However, Section 376 (rape) was later added based on a statement recorded under Section 164 of the CrPC,” he added.
He further added, “Bail was rejected on the ground that Revanna is likely to abscond. (On) prima facie case, only one sentence is there.”
Claiming that there had been no efforts for a prompt trial, he added, “The continued incarceration of the petitioner, when proceedings stayed, over 100 witnesses to be examined. They have made no efforts for a prompt trial. Every time a matter comes, judicial custody is continued under further High Court orders.”
ASPP Jagadeesha, however, noted that, “There are four cases against him and two cases are at an advanced stage.”
Upon ASPP’s request, the court passed the order: ” Objections filed by the ASPP taken on record, relist on Friday for preliminary hearing.”
In April, special court in Bengaluru formally charged Prajwal Revanna with multiple counts of sexual assault, following a detailed investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) established by the Karnataka government.
The court charged Revanna under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 376(2)(k) for rape by a person in a position of control, Section 376(2)(n) for repeated rape, Section 354-A for sexual harassment, Section 354-B for assault with intent to disrobe, Section 354-C for voyeurism, Section 506 for criminal intimidation, and Section 201 for destruction of evidence.
He has also been charged under Section 66E of the Information Technology Act, which relates to the violation of privacy through the electronic transmission of private images.
Prajwal Revanna is the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda. He served as a Janata Dal (Secular) MP representing the Hassan constituency. The case drew national attention in April 2024 after explicit videos allegedly showing Revanna assaulting multiple women surfaced online.
In response to the public outcry, the state government formed the SIT on 27 April 2024 to investigate the allegations. Shortly after the original allegations surfaced, he left for Germany, reportedly using a diplomatic passport.
He returned on 31 May 2024 following sustained public and political pressure and was arrested upon arrival at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
