Karnataka: During the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, a major controversy has arisen involving Prajwal Revanna, the BJP-Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) candidate and incumbent MP from Hassan, and his father, HD Revanna, son of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda.
It revolves around viral obscene videos linked to Prajwal Revanna. Police have booked Revanna in a case of sexual assault.
Following this, a domestic worker from the Revanna household came forward and accused Prajwal Revanna of sexual harassment, along with alleging similar behaviour by HD Revanna towards house-helps.
Hassan district went to polls in the second phase on April 26. The Karnataka government has launched a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the matter. Prajwal reportedly left India for Frankfurt even before the SIT was announced, suggested one report.
With both HD Revanna and Prajwal Revanna implicated in the controversy, the JD(S) has taken a cautious stance, supporting the SIT’s investigation.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy emphasised respect for women and expressed confidence in the SIT’s efforts to bring Prajwal Revanna back from abroad for investigation.
The scandal, known as the Revanna scandal, involves allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment against Prajwal Revanna, a sitting Member of Parliament from Hassan and member of the Janata Dal (Secular) party. A 47-year-old woman who worked at Prajwal Revanna’s residence accused him and HD Revanna of sexual assault and harassment of female workers.
Explicit video clips purportedly showing Prajwal Revanna engaged in sexual activities with multiple women have circulated widely on social media ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, sparking political unrest with demands for his arrest.
Prajwal Revanna has maintained that the viral videos are doctored and has filed a complaint. However, amid the scandal, reports indicate that he has left the country.
Prajwal Revanna, 33, is the grandson of JD(S) leader and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda. He won the 2019 Lok Sabha election in Hassan by a substantial margin over the BJP candidate A Manju.
