BENGALURU: Suspended Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) leader Prajwal Revanna was arrested at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport early Friday upon his arrival from Germany. Revanna faces serious allegations of mass sexual assault, which led to his detainment shortly after landing.
Background and Arrest
Revanna, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate for the Hassan Lok Sabha seat, departed for Germany on April 27, just a day after the polling concluded. His departure coincided with the release of numerous videos that allegedly implicated him in sexual assault. Several women featured in these videos have come forward with accusations against Revanna.
A special investigation team (SIT) was established to investigate these allegations. Upon his arrival, the SIT took Revanna into custody. An officer from the SIT stated that Revanna, the current Member of Parliament for Hassan, would undergo a medical examination at Bengaluru’s Bowring Hospital before being presented to a magistrate for custody proceedings. The SIT also seized his mobile phone and two suitcases.
Investigation Details
Interpol alerted the SIT, Bengaluru Police, and immigration authorities about Revanna’s return on Thursday afternoon. This allowed the authorities to prepare for his arrest upon arrival.
Revanna’s anticipatory bail plea was scheduled for a hearing in a Bengaluru sessions court on Friday. In his plea, Revanna denied all allegations, asserting that the charges were politically motivated. “The electronic evidence presented is fabricated to support a false case,” the plea stated.
The plea also noted that Revanna had a good relationship with the accuser, who was a political activist involved in his recent election campaign. “Prajwal is shocked by the wild allegations in the complaint,” the plea mentioned, attributing the accusations to political rivalry and envy.
Revanna claimed that his trip abroad was pre-planned and had no connection to the accusations. “Having participated in the election process on April 26, 2024, Prajwal left the country as scheduled. However, a smear campaign was orchestrated against Prajwal and his father, leading to the false accusations,” the plea read.
Political and Legal Repercussions
The JD(S) suspended Revanna following the allegations, and he released a video statement earlier this week promising to present himself to the SIT at 10 AM on May 31. Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara had previously announced that Revanna would be arrested upon landing in India, citing confirmed reports of his booking on a Munich-Bengaluru Lufthansa flight.
The arrest of Prajwal Revanna at Bengaluru airport marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the allegations of mass sexual assault. As the SIT continues its probe, the political and legal ramifications of this case are expected to unfold, impacting both Revanna’s career and the broader political landscape.
