Former Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna has been convicted by the Special Court for People’s Representatives in a rape case filed by a domestic worker from KR Nagar, Mysuru. The judgment marks a significant moment in Karnataka's legal history, not only for its high-profile nature but also for the remarkable speed with which it was delivered—just 14 months after the case was registered. Revanna appeared visibly shaken in court and broke down in tears upon hearing the verdict.
The case was initially filed at the CID’s Cyber Crime Station and alleged that Revanna raped the survivor on two separate occasions and recorded the acts on video. One of the most critical pieces of evidence was a saree submitted by the survivor, which forensic analysis confirmed carried traces of sperm. This evidence played a key role in establishing the crime.
The investigation was led by Inspector Shobha of the CID’s Special Investigation Team, which compiled a 2,000-page charge sheet and collected 123 pieces of evidence. The trial officially began on December 31, 2024, and proceeded at an unusually swift pace, examining 23 witnesses and reviewing multiple forensic and site inspection reports over seven months.
Revanna has been convicted under several serious sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 376(2)(k) and 376(2)(n), which pertain to aggravated forms of rape and carry minimum sentences of 10 years, extendable to life imprisonment. Other charges include Sections 354(A), 354(B), and 354(C) related to sexual harassment and assault, Section 506 for criminal intimidation, and Section 201 for destruction of evidence. He was also charged under Section 66(E) of the IT Act, 2008, which addresses violations of privacy through electronic means.
The court is set to pronounce the quantum of Revanna’s sentence on Saturday. As the nation awaits the sentencing, the conviction has already sparked widespread discussion on political accountability and the speed of justice delivery in cases involving powerful individuals.
