Deve Gowda on sexual abuse case

Bengaluru: Party leader HD Deve Gowda on Saturday broke his silence on the sexual abuse charges leveled against JDS MP Prajwal Revanna and said he has no objection to the action taken against his grandson if he is found guilty.

He also said that cases have been “opened” against his son and JD(S) MLA HD Revanna, who is accused of sexual harassment and kidnapping of a woman, but refrained from commenting further as the matter was subjugation .

Addressing reporters, Gowda, who turned 92 today, said, “…I don’t want to comment on the things going on in the court regarding Revanna. Prajwal Revanna has gone abroad as far as Kumaraswamy (Gowda’s other son and state) is concerned. The JD(S) chief has said on behalf of our family that it is the duty of the government to take action in accordance with the laws of the land.”

“There are several people linked to this (sexual abuse cases), I don’t want to name anyone. Kumaraswamy has said that action should be taken against all those involved in this matter and the affected women should also receive justice and compensation.

“We have no objection to taking action against Prajwal. But people have learned (facts) about the allegations made against Revanna and how the case came about. In one case he got the bail, in another case he did. “Verdict day after tomorrow… I don’t want to comment on it,” he added, agreeing with Kumaraswamy’s statement that no one should be spared in case of a guilty verdict.

Gowda had recently announced his decision not to celebrate his birthday and asked his well-wishers and party workers to extend wishes to him from anywhere.

Prajwal (33) is accused of multiple counts of sexual abuse of women. The scandal triggered a political storm as the ruling Congress and the BJP-JD(S) traded blows.

He reportedly left for Germany on April 27 and is still at large. An Interpol Blue Corner Notice was issued against him to bring him back.

He was the joint candidate of the BJP-JD(S) alliance in the Hassan Lok Sabha segment that went to polls on April 26. Asked if there was a conspiracy to defame and politically suppress his family, Gowda said: “It’s true… over.” What all happened, several people are involved, I won’t name any names, what action to take.

Responding to a query on BJP leader and lawyer G Devaraje Gowda’s allegations that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was behind the circulation of a USB drive containing explicit videos featuring Prajwal Revanna, Gowda said Kumaraswamy would respond to all these questions .

“We saw what Devaraje Gowda said in the media. Kumaraswamy, as state president of the party, has actively responded to all this, he will speak, I will not speak at this point. I had campaigned for Lok Sabha polls.” “I will meet you (media) on June 4 after the Lok Sabha poll results are announced,” he added.

Gowda also asked mediapersons camping near his house to vacate the property. “I also appeal to your owners.”