Former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, grandson of former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda, has been assigned duties as a library clerk inside Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, where he is currently serving a life sentence for rape. Jail authorities confirmed that his responsibilities include issuing books to fellow inmates and keeping meticulous records of borrowed materials. For this work, he is entitled to earn ₹522 per day, provided he completes his assigned tasks in accordance with prison regulations.
Prison officials explained that life convicts are required to undertake some form of labour, with assignments made based on their skills and preferences. Although Revanna initially expressed interest in administrative duties, he was instead placed in charge of the library. He has already completed his first day of work, with the general requirement being that inmates work at least three days a week, or a minimum of 12 days each month.
Revanna’s imprisonment follows his conviction last month, when a special court sentenced him to life in prison and imposed a fine of ₹11 lakh for the rape of a 47-year-old domestic worker in Mysuru. The case had gained widespread attention after a pen drive containing explicit videos allegedly filmed by him surfaced ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. At the time, Revanna was the NDA candidate from Hassan, backed jointly by the BJP and JD(S). He, however, denied the allegations, claiming the videos were doctored.
The trial, which began on December 31, 2024, involved the examination of 23 witnesses over a span of seven months. Forensic Science Laboratory reports of the video clips and spot inspection records played a crucial role in the proceedings. In addition, the survivor provided a saree as physical evidence, which she had preserved. Forensic analysis confirmed the presence of sperm on the saree, and the court accepted it as a critical piece of evidence in proving the rape.
The investigation was led by the CID’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) under Inspector Shobha, which collected 123 pieces of evidence and filed a nearly 2,000-page chargesheet. Based on this evidence, the court convicted Revanna under IPC Sections 376(2)(k), 376(2)(n), 354(A), 354(B), and 354(C), covering charges of repeated rape, sexual assault, and harassment.
