Prajwal Revanna’s brother Suraj accused of sexual assault | Latest news from India

Karanataka police have filed sexual assault charges against Janata Dal (Secular) leader Suraj Revanna and the brother of suspended JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna after a party worker filed a complaint against him, police officials familiar with the matter said on Saturday.

According to the officials, the case was filed against Suraj at Holenarasipura police station in Hassan after a JD(S) worker filed a complaint with the Director General of Police Office, accusing the Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) of sexually harassing him.

“Following the complaint, we have filed an FIR under sections 377 (unnatural offences), 506 (criminal intimidation), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 34 (acts committed by several persons in pursuance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC),” said Hassan SP Mohammed Sujeetha.

The FIR was filed a day after the JD(S) worker was arrested on charges of alleged extortion. ₹5 crore from Suraj by threatening to file a “false” sexual assault complaint against him. According to the complaint filed by Suraj’s assistant HL Shivakumar, the JD(S) worker had met Suraj six months ago and again in June to seek a job. Suraj said that it was not possible for him to help the man get a job at present, “but it may be considered in the future,” the complaint said, adding that the man then demanded ₹5 crore from Suraj and threatened to accuse the MLC of sexual harassment if the money was not paid.

Suraj denied the allegations against him and called them politically motivated. “I absolutely deny these allegations. They are part of a political conspiracy. An FIR has also been filed against the complainant. Let the truth come out. I trust in the law of the land,” he said.