Prajwal Revanna Sentenced to Life Imprisonment by Bengaluru Special Court in Rape Case

by shalini jha |
Prajwal Revanna Sentenced to Life Imprisonment by Bengaluru Special Court in  Rape Case
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Bengaluru (The Uttam Hindu): After being found guilty on August 1 of raping a domestic help, former Lok Sabha MP Prajwal Revanna was sentenced to life in prison by a special court established to hear cases involving elected officials. Judge Santosh Gajanan Bhat's ruling was based on Sections 376(2)(k) and 376(2)(n) of the Indian Penal Code. Revanna has also been ordered to pay a fine of ₹10 lakh, of which ₹7 lakh is to be paid as compensation to the victim. This order is effective immediately.

The court accepted testimony from a 47‑year‑old woman who had worked as a domestic help at Revanna’s family farm, along with video clips recorded by the accused and the victim’s saree stained with sperm as presented evidence, reinforcing the prosecution's narrative of repeated sexual assaults.

The prosecution’s case was built on a 1,632‑page chargesheet submitted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in September 2024, based on 113 witnesses. The court framed charges in April 2025 and began the trial on December 31, 2024; the proceedings—wrapped up in just seven months—entailed 23 witness testimonies and multiple technical exhibits.

In the sentencing hearing, Revanna appeared deeply affected: he broke down in tears as the life sentence was read, visibly distressed and without any family members present. When offered an opportunity to speak, he offered no defence but appealed for leniency.

The case relates to assaults alleged to have occurred in 2021, during the pandemic lockdown—first at the family’s farm in Hassan’s Holenarasipura and later at its Bengaluru residence. The victim reportedly lived in fear for years, only coming forward after video clips became public and sparked outrage.

Revanna, 34, is the grandson of former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda. He was arrested at Bengaluru airport on May 31, 2024 after returning to India from Germany, where he had fled amid the scandal. A JD(S) leader at the time, he was suspended by the party immediately following the complaints.

What happens now: With no option for bail, Revanna is expected to remain in jail as the sentence takes immediate effect. His legal team is anticipated to seek appeals before the Karnataka High Court and, if necessary, the Supreme Court—likely citing grounds including alleged delay in reporting, forensic reliability, and procedural fairness.

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