'Guilty': Prajwal Revanna Sentenced to Life Imprisonment, Fined Rs 10 Lakh

Bengaluru – In a major development, a Special Court for MPs and MLAs in Bengaluru has sentenced Prajwal Revanna to life imprisonment until death and imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh in connection with a rape and obscene video case involving a 47-year-old woman.

Prajwal Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, was found guilty under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the IT Act.

Special Judge Santosh Gajanana Bhat pronounced the verdict on Saturday. Revanna was convicted under IPC Section 376(2)(N) for repeatedly raping the same woman and was fined Rs 5 lakh. He also received life imprisonment and another Rs 5 lakh fine under Section 376(2)(K) for using his position of power to commit rape.

The court ordered that Rs 7 lakh out of the fine amount be handed over to the victim.

Revanna stood with folded hands in court as the sentence was announced. Earlier in the day, the court recorded the final statements of Revanna, the Special Public Prosecutors, and his defense counsel.

He was also convicted under IPC Sections:

• 376(2)(N): Repeated rape and abuse of authority

• 376(2)(K): Rape committed by a person in a position of dominance

• 354(B): Use of criminal force with the intent to disrobe

• 354(C): Voyeurism

• IT Act 66(E): Violation of privacy

This is just one of four similar cases Revanna is currently facing.

During sentencing, the Special Public Prosecutors strongly pushed for the maximum punishment, stating that a life sentence would serve as a strong deterrent to others.

Visibly emotional, Revanna broke down during his final statement. He questioned the timing of the case, suggesting political motives:
"Why did this case surface during elections? When I was an MP, no complaint was filed. Why now? Why only during elections?" he asked.

He added, "The police are behind this. It’s politically motivated. Still, I accept the court’s decision. I haven’t seen my parents in six months."

When asked about his background, Revanna said he had studied mechanical engineering and was a meritorious student. “My only mistake was rising too fast in politics. I won’t blame the media,” he said.

The court also heard closing arguments from the prosecution and the senior defense counsel representing Revanna.

On Friday, the Special Court had already declared Revanna guilty in the case, which involves a rape complaint by a domestic worker from K.R. Nagar. The court examined 26 pieces of evidence.

The case gained national attention during the Lok Sabha elections, when videos allegedly showing Revanna sexually assaulting multiple women emerged. Following the elections, he fled India.

Revanna returned to Bengaluru on May 31, 2024, after repeated public appeals by his grandfather H.D. Deve Gowda and uncle, Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. He was arrested upon arrival and has been in Bengaluru Central Jail since, with all bail requests rejected.

The video central to this case reportedly shows Revanna assaulting the elderly domestic worker at a farmhouse in Holenarasipura. In the footage, the woman pleads with him to spare her, reminding him of her years of service to his family.

With inputs from IANS