Karnataka BJP leader Devaraje Gowda arrested for alleged molestation and rape and taken to Holenarasipura

Chitradurga: BJP leader and lawyer G Devaraje Gowda, who was arrested for alleged molestation and rape, was on Saturday taken for questioning to Holenarasipura, where the incident allegedly took place, police said.

An FIR was registered against Gowda on a complaint from a 36-year-old woman from Hassan district who alleged that he molested and raped her on the pretext of helping her sell her property.

A harassment case was registered against Gowda on April 1. On Friday, the woman approached the police again and claimed that she had also been raped by him, a police officer said PTI.

The BJP leader was arrested by Hiriyur police in Chitradurga district from Gulihal toll plaza late on Friday evening. He was arrested following a tip-off from the Hassan police.

Holenarasipur police reached Chitradurga on Saturday morning. After the trial, Hiriyur police handed over Devaraje Gowda to Holenarasipura police.

Gowda had unsuccessfully contested the 2023 assembly election with the BJP party and was defeated by JD(S) MLA and former minister HD Revanna.

He had also claimed that he had alerted the BJP leadership last year about the alleged sexual abuse of several women by Prajwal Revanna and warned the saffron party against giving a Lok Sabha ticket to the JD(S) MP from Hassan give.