Bengaluru, August 2, 2025 – Former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a special court in Bengaluru for raping a woman at his farmhouse in 2021. Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and son of JD(S) leader HD Revanna, was also fined ₹10 lakh under IPC Section 376(2)(n), which deals with repeated rape of the same woman.
Special Judge Santhosh Gajanan Bhat pronounced the verdict on Saturday, three days after convicting Revanna on August 1. The victim, a house help at Revanna’s farmhouse in Hassan, was raped twice in 2021. The court considered the gravity of the crime and its lasting psychological impact on the survivor while announcing the sentence.
Emotional Appeal Falls Flat in Court
Before the sentencing, Prajwal Revanna broke down in court, pleading for leniency. He said he hadn’t met his parents for six months and claimed that his political success had made him a target. He alleged that the survivor was “used” by the prosecution just six days before the April 2024 elections.
However, the court rejected his claims, citing strong evidence and consistent testimony from the survivor. The judge emphasized the need to set a precedent in crimes against women, especially those committed by people in positions of power.
Revanna has been held at Parappana Agrahara Central Jail since May 31, 2024, after being arrested upon his return from Germany.
Case Unfolded Ahead of Lok Sabha Polls
The sexual assault case shocked Karnataka in April 2024 when over 2,000 explicit videos allegedly recorded by Prajwal Revanna surfaced via pen drives distributed in Hassan. The videos triggered public outrage and political embarrassment for the JD(S), which is part of the ruling coalition in Karnataka.
The videos led to the registration of four FIRs involving rape and sexual harassment. The case for which Revanna has now been sentenced involved a domestic worker who said she was coerced and filmed without consent.
International Escape and Return
Following the leak, Revanna used his diplomatic passport to flee India just before the first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on April 26. He reportedly flew to Frankfurt, Germany. His absence sparked widespread criticism and raised questions about how a rape-accused MP managed to leave the country.
After pressure from family members and a police crackdown, Revanna returned to India on May 31. He landed at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on a Lufthansa flight from Munich. Upon arrival, he was arrested by the Karnataka Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Political Fallout and Ongoing Investigations
The case has caused major embarrassment for the JD(S) and the Deve Gowda family. While senior leaders have distanced themselves from Prajwal, the political damage is significant.
The SIT is still investigating other cases linked to Revanna. Many women have come forward since the video leaks, and further legal action is expected in the coming months.