Karnataka High Court hears Prajwal Revanna's bail and anticipatory bail petitions in rape cases in closed session

The Karnataka High Court on Monday said it would hear in camera the bail and anticipatory release petitions of suspended Janta Dal (S) leader Prajwal Revanna, who is accused of rape and sexual assault.

A single-judge bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna said:This is being tried in camera, it cannot be tried in public. We will get the order and implement it (try in camera). It should not be that anyone is exposed to shame at any cost.” .

Special Public Prosecutor Professor Ravivarma Kumar, during the previous hearing of the petitions filed by Prajwal, had requested that the matter be heard in camera to avoid publication of the petitioner's name.

During today's hearing, the court was informed that a chargesheet has been filed against Prajwal before the special court. A copy has also been submitted to the Supreme Court. The court said it will go through the final report before hearing the petitions.

The SIT is investigating three cases filed against Prajwal and he is currently in judicial custody. The SIT had arrested Prajwal on May 30 in the early hours of the morning upon his arrival from Germany at Bengaluru airport. He was arrested under crime no. 107/2024 and registered at Holenarasipura town police station. The court had remanded him in judicial custody the next day.

Bail is sought in the first case registered against him at Holenarasipura police station. Interim bail is sought in the case registered at the SIT in Bengaluru.

Ahead of the April 26 Lok Sabha elections, videos circulated online showing women being sexually harassed, allegedly by Prajwal, who moved away from India after casting his vote.

Following a letter from the Chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Women to the state government, the government has set up a special investigation team to look into the case.

Earlier, police had arrested his father and Holenarasipura MP HD Revanna for kidnapping a woman. He was later released on bail. Prajwal's mother Bhavani Revanna was granted interim bail by the Karnataka High Court in the same kidnapping case.

Prajwal's brother Suraj Revanna was also arrested in connection with a case of alleged sexual abuse of a man. He has been remanded in police custody until July 1 and will be released on bail.

Case Title: Prajwal Revanna v. State of Karnataka

Case number: CRL.P 6401/2024

Appearance: SPP Senior Counsel Professor Ravivarma Kumar for the defendant.