A special court in Bengaluru on Saturday, August 2, sentenced former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna to life imprisonment in a high-profile rape case that has gripped Karnataka’s political landscape in recent months. In addition to the life sentence, the court imposed a fine of Rs 11 lakh on the 33-year-old.
Revanna, the grandson of former PM HD Deve Gowda, was found guilty of sexually assaulting multiple women, with several incidents allegedly captured on video. The case drew widespread outrage and triggered a national conversation about power abuse and victim justice.
The court’s judgment marks the conclusion of a months-long investigation following multiple complaints and the emergence of explicit video clips, reportedly leaked ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Revanna, who represented Hassan in the previous Lok Sabha, had fled the country amid mounting accusations, only to return and be arrested earlier this year.
The Rs 11 lakh fine is to be distributed among the survivors as compensation, the court ruled. The JD(S) has maintained a cautious distance from Revanna since the allegations surfaced. Meanwhile, opposition leaders have demanded stricter scrutiny of candidates fielded by political parties.
The verdict is being hailed by activists and legal experts as a landmark judgment in holding powerful figures accountable for sexual crimes.
