Second sodomy case against Suraj Revanna, now his assistant claims he was sexually abused during the curfew

Bengaluru: Karnataka Legislative Council member Suraj Revanna has been charged with sodomy by another Janata Dal (Secular) worker, the second sexual assault complaint filed against him in less than a week.

The case was filed at Holenarasipura police station by a 30-year-old JD(S) worker and close associate of Suraj. He accuses the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and elder son of former Karnataka minister HD Revanna of sexually abusing him at the family farm at Ghanikheda in Hassan four years ago.

According to the complaint, the victim was attacked four years ago during the COVID-19 lockdown.

“I had not told anyone at the time and did not have the courage to file a complaint. I was suffering inside and when the opportunity presented itself, I filed a complaint,” the victim told reporters late Tuesday evening.

The victim was a party worker for seven years and an office-bearer of the Suraj Revanna Brigade for the last six years.

In the case filed on June 25, the police have booked Suraj under sections 377 (unnatural sexual intercourse), 342 (release), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, according to the FIR, a copy of which was seen by ThePrint.

Also read: Prajwal Revanna’s brother Suraj arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a male JD(S) worker

Alleged attempt to bribe another victim

In particular, the complainant said he was “coerced and threatened” to file a complaint against another 27-year-old party worker for allegedly attempting to extort money from the MLC based on allegations of sexual assault.

According to the complaint, on June 16, the complainant received a WhatsApp call from his former colleague who alleged that he had been sexually exploited by Suraj.

The complainant conveyed this to Suraj, who asked him to try to persuade the other man to desist from taking harsh steps, meet the MLC and resolve the matter.

However, the plaintiff said he told Suraj that the other alleged victim insisted on going to the hospital and then contacting the police. Suraj then allegedly told the 30-year-old to wait with the former party worker for some of Suraj’s associates, who would take them to him.

But when Suraj’s men arrived, the 27-year-old was already gone. Several calls to the victim remained unanswered.

The complainant was then allegedly asked to tell the other man that he would receive one crore and then another one crore of rupees if he kept quiet and did not go to the police.

When the other man refused to give in a day later, Suraj allegedly threatened the 30-year-old that he would file a complaint against him.

The complainant was kept at the farm all night and was not allowed to go home alone. He was accompanied to his house and brought back by Suraj’s assistant Rakshit.

Suraj was remanded in judicial custody for 14 days by the 42nd Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in the first case on Sunday evening.

Suraj, Prajwal, their father HD Revanna and their mother Bhavani are currently under investigation in multiple cases, including rape, kidnapping and criminal intimidation. Prajwal is in the custody of the Special Investigation Team and the parents are out on bail.

Also read: Actor Darshan “made many calls after murder to get money for scapegoats”, police seize taser