May 31st 2024.
Bengaluru saw a dramatic turn of events in the early hours of Friday as JD MP Prajwal Revanna, who had been suspended amidst allegations of sexual abuse, was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) as soon as he landed at the Kempegowda International Airport. The 33-year-old MP, who had arrived from Munich, was immediately taken to the CID office for interrogation. Sources within the SIT have revealed that they plan on producing him before the Special Court and will most likely request for police custody in order to further investigate the matter.
Security was tightened at the Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital in anticipation of Prajwal's arrival for various medical tests, including blood pressure, blood sugar level, and overall cardiac health. In addition to this, the SIT is also considering a potency test for Prajwal in the near future. This test is usually conducted to determine if a rape suspect is capable of committing sexual assault. The Special Court for Public Representatives is also set to hear the bail plea of Prajwal and his mother Bhavani Revanna on Friday.
State Home Minister G Parameshwara has shed light on the events leading up to Prajwal's arrest and subsequent legal procedures, stating, "Prajwal Revanna landed in Bengaluru between 12:40 am to 12:50 am from Germany's Munich, where he was immediately arrested by the SIT in accordance with the existing arrest warrant. They will now continue with the necessary legal procedures."
Before arriving in Bengaluru, Prajwal had made a last-ditch effort to avoid arrest by filing for bail, but to no avail. He currently faces three cases of sexual abuse, while his mother has sought anticipatory bail in a separate alleged kidnapping case. Even though Bhavani is not directly involved in the case, the SIT has expressed interest in questioning her role. In the same case, Bhavani's husband and Holenarasipura MLA H D Revanna, who is also the son of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, was arrested but later released on bail. He too has been accused of sexually harassing the cook of his house, who was also allegedly abused by his son Prajwal.
The 33-year-old Prajwal, who is the grandson of Deve Gowda and the BJP-JD alliance candidate from the Hassan Lok Sabha constituency, is facing charges of sexually abusing multiple women. He has been booked in three cases of sexual assault so far. It is worth noting that he had left for Germany on April 27, just a day after the polls in Hassan took place. A 'Blue Corner Notice' was issued by the Interpol to gather information on his whereabouts, following a request by the SIT through the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Prajwal has vehemently denied the allegations against him, calling them false and accusing political opponents of conspiring against him. In a video statement released earlier this week, he revealed that he had been struggling with depression. He had also filed for anticipatory bail at the Principal City and Sessions Court for Elected Representatives on May 29, which resulted in the court issuing a notice to the SIT to file their objections before the hearing scheduled for Friday.
This scandal has caused a political stir, with the ruling Congress and BJP-JD engaged in a heated debate. While the Congress government has set up a SIT to investigate the cases, the BJP and JD (NDA partners) have demanded that the case be handed over to the CBI and that action be taken against those responsible for the circulation of explicit videos.
The allegations of sexual abuse against Prajwal came to light after several pen drives containing explicit videos involving him were reportedly circulated in Hassan, just before the Lok Sabha polls on April 26. In response to these allegations, Deve Gowda issued a stern warning to his grandson, urging him to return to the country and face the probe. He also made it clear that neither he nor any other family member would interfere in the investigation and insisted that if Prajwal is found guilty, he should be given the harshest punishment under the law. Prajwal's uncle and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy also repeatedly urged him to return to the country and cooperate with the investigation.
The JD has suspended Prajwal Revanna from the party, following the serious allegations brought against him. The situation continues to unfold, and only time will tell what the final outcome will be.
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