SIT questions Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna in sexual abuse case

Suspended JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, who is facing allegations of sexually abusing several women, was questioned after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested him in the early hours of May 31, immediately after he landed at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru.

The 33-year-old MP, who had travelled from Munich, was taken to the criminal investigation department for questioning, SIT sources said.

The SIT is also considering an efficacy test for Prajwal.

The Special Court for Public Representatives will hear the bail application of Mr Prajwal and his mother Bhavani Revanna on May 31.

Before arriving in Bengaluru from Munich, the MP from Hassan had made a final attempt to evade arrest and had applied for bail in court.

Mr Prajwal faces three cases of sexual abuse, while his mother has sought interim bail in an alleged kidnapping case.

Although Ms Bhavani is not an accused in the case, the SIT reportedly wanted to investigate her role.

In the same case, Ms Bhavani’s husband and Holenarasipura MP HD Revanna, the son of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, was arrested and later released on bail. He is also accused of sexually harassing the cook of his house, who in turn was sexually abused by his son Prajwal.

Prajwal, 33, grandson of Deve Gowda and candidate of the BJP-JD(S) alliance for Hassan Lok Sabha, is accused of sexually abusing numerous women. He has so far been charged in three cases of sexual assault.

He had left for Germany on April 27, a day after Hassan went to vote. Interpol had previously issued a “Blue Corner Notice” seeking information on his whereabouts after the SIT made a request through the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The MP described the allegations against him as false and accused him of a political conspiracy. In a video message published earlier this week, he said he had fallen into depression.

He had also filed an application for interim bail before the Principal City and Sessions Court for Elected Representatives on May 29. The court issued a notice to the SIT to file an objection before fixing the hearing date for Friday.

The scandal triggered a political storm that led to a slugfest between the ruling Congress party and the BJP-JD(S).

While the Congress government has set up an SIT to investigate the cases, BJP and JD(S) – partners of the NDA – are demanding that the cases be handed over to the CBI and action be taken against those responsible for the widespread distribution of the explicit videos.

The sexual abuse cases came to light after several USB sticks allegedly containing explicit videos of Prajwal were circulated in Hassan ahead of the April 26 Lok Sabha elections.

Mr Deve Gowda had recently issued a “stern warning” to Prajwal, asking him to return to the country and face investigation into the sexual abuse allegations, while assuring that neither he nor other family members would interfere in the investigation.

The JD(S) leader had reiterated that if convicted, his grandson should receive the harshest punishment provided for by the law.

Prajwal’s uncle and former Prime Minister HD Kumaraswamy had also repeatedly urged his nephew to return to the country from abroad and face the investigation.

Due to these allegations, the JD(S) suspended Prajwal Revanna from the party.