Suraj Revanna’s CID investigation extended by two days

Bengaluru: The police custody of JD(S) MLC Dr Suraj Revanna, who is accused of sexually assaulting two men, was extended by two more days on Monday. The MLC will remain in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) till July 3.

On Monday afternoon, Dr. Suraj was produced before the 42nd Deputy Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM). The investigation team sought an extension of five days’ remand on the grounds that Dr. Suraj was not cooperating.

After hearing the arguments, the judge ordered an extension of the remand for two days. Dr. Suraj will be produced before the court again on Wednesday.

Dr Suraj was booked by the Holenarasipura police on June 22 under sections 377 (unnatural offences), 342 (wrongful confinement), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (acts done by several persons with common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) after a 27-year-old male JD(S) worker filed a police complaint accusing the politician of sexually harassing him on June 16.

Suraj was arrested on June 23 and remanded in CID custody until July 1.

On June 21, Dr Suraj’s close aide Shivakumar filed a police complaint accusing the survivor and his brother-in-law of trying to extort money from the MLC. Based on Shivakumar’s complaint, the Holenarasipura police registered a case under IPC sections 384 (extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (involvement of others in conspiracy).

The same man filed another complaint against Dr Suraj, alleging that he was sexually assaulted by the politician four years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic. A separate case was then registered under sections 342 (wrongful deprivation of liberty), 506 (criminal intimidation), 377 (unnatural offences) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC.

So far, the CID has conducted custodial interrogations and a crime scene reenactment. Suraj has also been subjected to medical tests, including a potency test, and his DNA samples have been collected. A report is awaited.