Karnataka MP Prajwal Revanna suspended from JD(S) over sex tapes row

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, April 30, 2024: The JD(S) on Tuesday suspended its MP and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda’s grandson Prajwal Revanna from the party over allegations of sexual abuse. JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said the decision was taken as the party was against "injustice" towards women.

 

Indicating a conspiracy against the JD(S), Kumaraswamy said the obscene videos were released just five days before polling in Hassan constituency. Prajwal Revanna was the NDA candidate from Hassan, which went to polls in the second phase on April 26.

"The victims haven’t complained to the government till now. The state women’s commission has written a letter to the Chief Minister on this matter. Post that, the CM announced an SIT," Kumaraswamy, Prajwal Revanna’s uncle, said.

"His (Prajwal Revanna) suspension is till the investigation is completed," the former Chief Minister said.

WHAT IS THE PRAJWAL REVANNA SEXUAL ABUSE CASE?

As the explicit video clips allegedly involving Prajwal started making the rounds in Hassan, the JD(S) MP reportedly left the country for Germany.

The videos depicted Revanna allegedly engaging in acts of sexual abuse against multiple women.

Amid the controversy, a woman who worked in Prajwal’s household, accused the MP and his father - JD(S) MLA and former minister HD Revanna - of sexual harassment. Following the woman’s complaint, a case has been registered against the duo.

Alleging there was "politics" behind the issue, HD Revanna, the elder son of JD(S) patriarch Deve Gowda, said he was open to an investigation over the allegations of sexual abuse. Revanna also said he and his son were ready to face action as per law if the charges were proved.

The Congress has lapped up the issue to target the BJP and its ally JD(S). Congress spokesperson Suprya Shrinate has alleged that BJP leader Devaraj Gowda had written to the party leadership last year about pen drives and Revanna’s sexual misconduct.

On Tuesday, Congress workers staged protests in Bengaluru and elsewhere in Karnataka on the matter.

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has sought a report within three days from the Karnataka police on the matter.

"Such events not only endanger women’s safety but also foster a culture of disrespect and violence against them. We urge prompt and decisive action from the concerned Police Authority to swiftly apprehend the accused, who has fled the country," the NCW said.

Courtesy: India Today