HD Revanna speaks of ‘conspiracy’ in allegations of sexual abuse against son Suraj Revanna

NEW DELHI: JD(S) MP and former Karnataka minister HD Revanna has termed the allegations against his son MP Suraj Revanna of sexually assaulting a male party worker as a “conspiracy”. Suraj Revanna was arrested from Hassan on Sunday on charges of “unnatural offences” in connection with a male party worker. Former MP Prajwal Revanna, Suraj’s brother, is also in police custody on charges of sexually harassing several women.

Suraj was booked on Saturday under various sections of the IPC, including “unnatural offences”, for allegedly sexually assaulting a party worker a few days ago. Expressing his faith in the judiciary and God, HD Revanna refrained from making any immediate comments, stressing that he would reveal everything when the time is right.

“I will not react to anything. Let us leave the investigation to the CID. Who said we should not investigate? I will not say anything about it. I have respect for the judiciary. I know what is going on in the state,” Revanna said.

Speaking to reporters, HD Revanna reiterated his faith in the judicial system and pointed out that time would bring clarity.

“I will not react to anything. I trust in God and justice. I will not fear such conspiracies. I know what it is, time will tell.”

When asked who might be conspiring against his son, Revanna evaded the question.

“I don’t know, you (the media) have to say – who, what. I leave it to you. You will deal with it, the justice system is there. Suraj has gone (to the police), everyone knows what has happened in the last few days.”

Regarding the complaint against Suraj, Revanna said:

“I don’t know what it is. The time will come, and when the time comes, I will tell everything.”

Suraj Revanna, 37, grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, has categorically denied the allegations. He accused the complainant of extorting Rs 50 million from him by filing a false complaint.

On Friday, police registered an extortion case against the JD(S) worker based on a complaint filed by Suraj Revanna’s close aide Shivakumar.

Union Minister and JD(S) state president HD Kumaraswamy distanced himself from the controversy surrounding his nephew and said the law would take its course.

“Why are you asking me about this matter? It does not concern me. There is no need to react to all these things. The law will take its course… What do I have to do with it (the case)?”

Kumaraswamy asked reporters not to get involved in the matter and advised them to instead focus on issues concerning the state.

“Discuss with me matters concerning the state. Why are you discussing with me about it, why is it necessary? The law will take its course… why such cases, we will find out in the coming days.”

Suraj’s brother, former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, was arrested last month after returning from Germany. He is accused of sexually harassing several women. Prajwal lost his Hassan parliamentary seat and was taken into custody on May 31 immediately after returning to India, where he was wanted on charges of rape and intimidation.

HD Revanna and his wife Bhavani are out on bail on charges of kidnapping and holding an alleged victim of sexual assault by their son Prajwal.