Scandal rocks Karnataka politics: Prajwal Revanna suspended amid sexual misconduct allegations
PTC News Desk: Prajwal Revanna, the sitting MP from Karnataka's Hassan constituency and grandson of JDS chief and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, has been suspended from the Janata Dal (Secular) or JD(S) amidst a burgeoning controversy surrounding explicit videos allegedly implicating him in sexual misconduct. The scandal has sent shockwaves through Karnataka's political landscape, prompting a series of legal and investigative actions.
The decision to suspend Prajwal Revanna from the party came swiftly after explicit video clips purportedly depicting him engaging in sexual acts with multiple women surfaced on social media platforms. These videos, allegedly recorded by Prajwal Revanna himself, were widely circulated within his constituency, adding fuel to the controversy.
In addition to his suspension, Prajwal Revanna has been served a show cause notice by the party, demanding an explanation regarding the allegations leveled against him. The severity of the accusations prompted a swift response from both the party leadership and the legal authorities.
The scandal took a legal turn when a woman filed a police complaint accusing Prajwal Revanna of sexual assault, alleging that she had been subjected to multiple instances of abuse between 2019 and 2022. Furthermore, she claimed that Prajwal Revanna's father, HD Revanna, also committed sexual misconduct against her during the same period. The allegations escalated when it was revealed that Prajwal Revanna allegedly engaged in inappropriate behavior over a video call with the complainant's daughter.
In response to these grave accusations, Prajwal Revanna vehemently denied any wrongdoing and asserted that the circulated videos were doctored to tarnish his reputation. Nevertheless, the controversy prompted him to leave for Germany soon after the videos surfaced online, raising further questions about his involvement.
The involvement of prominent political figures such as HD Deve Gowda and HD Revanna added significant weight to the scandal, with accusations flying from both sides. HD Revanna, who is also implicated in the case, dismissed the allegations as a conspiracy orchestrated by political rivals, emphasising the age of the videos in question.
Amidst mounting pressure, the Karnataka government took decisive action by forming a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the allegations thoroughly. The formation of the SIT followed a recommendation from the state women's commission, underscoring the seriousness of the matter.
However, concerns were raised regarding Prajwal Revanna's departure from the country amid ongoing investigations. Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara assured that the SIT would take appropriate measures to ensure Prajwal's return to India for questioning.
The scandal also saw additional revelations, with BJP Leader Devaraje Gowda claiming to possess incriminating evidence against the HD Deve Gowda family, including Prajwal Revanna. He alleged receiving a pen drive containing numerous explicit videos used for blackmail purposes, further intensifying the controversy surrounding the political dynasty.
As the investigation unfolds and the scandal continues to unravel, the implications for Karnataka's political landscape remain uncertain, with the reputation of prominent political figures at stake.
- With inputs from agencies
