Suraj Revanna arrested: Rs 5 crore extortion, job promise, sexual assault | How the case unfolded

JD(S) MLC Suraj Revanna, brother of jailed politician Prajwal Revanna, was booked by the Karnataka Police on Saturday for allegedly engaging in illicit sexual acts with a woman party worker. The man lodged a complaint against Suraj Revanna at Holenarasipura police station in Hassan district on Saturday, accusing him of sexually harassing him at his farm.

However, Suraj Revanna (37), grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and nephew of Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, vehemently denied the allegations of sodomy against him and claimed that the complainant had fabricated the allegations to ₹5 Crore from him.

Full timeline of Suraj Revanna’s arrest:

The case continues with a trial involving allegations and counter-allegations between Suraj Revanna and Chethan KS, as well as extortion charges against Chethan and his brother-in-law.

A JD(S) worker named Chethan KS accused Suraj Revanna of sexually harassing him at Suraj Revanna’s farmhouse on June 16. Following the allegation, Suraj Revanna’s close aide Shivakumar accused the worker of trying to extort money from Suraj Revanna by threatening to falsely accuse him of sexual assault. The extortion demand was later reportedly reduced to ₹2 Crores.

Also read: Prajwal Revanna’s brother Suraj claims extortion over false sexual assault, JD(S) worker arrested

On Friday, based on Shivakumar’s complaint, police registered a case of extortion, criminal intimidation and conspiracy against Chethan KS and his brother-in-law under sections 384, 506 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Chethan KS also filed a complaint with the police and accused Suraj Revanna of sexual abuse. Suraj Revanna was arrested by the police on Sunday. Chethan KS accused him of “unnatural crimes”.

What does the FIR say?

The FIR states that Suraj Revanna, after learning about his (the complainant’s) work in the Lok Sabha elections, asked for his phone number and requested him to “meet him when he has time”.

“Suraj Revanna allegedly asked him to come to his farm in Gannikada village in Hassan. After he (the complainant) reached the farm, Suraj asked him to enter his room and lock it from inside. When he did so, Suraj allegedly sexually molested him and later promised to help him rise in politics. When he refused, Suraj threatened him with dire consequences and told him to come to the farm whenever he called him,” the FIR said.

Also read: Case against Prajwal Revanna’s brother Suraj for same-sex assault: “Forcibly kissed and bitten …”

In his complaint, he stated that on June 17, the complainant sent an SMS about the incident to Suraj Revanna’s close aide Shivu and informed him that Suraj had ruined his life.

“But Shivu allegedly threatened him not to make the matter public and said they would offer him Rs 2 crore and a job for it. Fearing for his life, he went to Bengaluru on June 19 (Wednesday), met the Director General and submitted a written complaint. Following this, Holenarasipura Rural police station called him today to register the complaint. The complaint was registered this evening,” it said.

What’s next?

ANI reported that the case registered against JD(S) MLC and son of HD Revanna, Suraj Revanna, at Holenarasipura Rural police station in Hassan district under sections 377, 342, 506 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been handed over to the CID for further investigation with immediate effect.

In addition, the files should be handed over to the CID for further investigation.

Also read: ‘Prajwal Revanna raped my mother and forced me to undress during a video call’: Woman describes her horror to police

Meanwhile, Suraj’s brother, former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, remains in police custody after being accused of sexually harassing several women. Prajwal was arrested after returning from Germany, where he had sought refuge after being accused of rape and intimidation. Her parents, HD Revanna and Bhavani, are currently out on bail. They are accused of kidnapping and harboring a victim of Prajwal’s assault.

(With contributions from agencies)