Former Zilla Panchayat member alleges Prajwal Revanna raped her for over 3 years, used videos to blackmail

According to the latest FIR, the woman – who was a Zilla Panchayat member – used to visit MLAs and MPs seeking funds for development works in her region. In the complaint, the woman has alleged that she was raped and harassed between January 1, 2021 and April 25, 2024. The CID registered the case on May 1.

The complainant allegedly met the MP to secure seats for girl students at a government-run BCM hostel. “In 2021, in such an instance, I visited Prajwal Revanna to get the work done at MP quarters. He asked me to go to the first floor where many women were waiting for him. After speaking to the people on the ground floor, he came to the first floor and spoke to other women. Finally, I remained and he asked me to come inside the room,” she said in the complaint.

“Inside the room, he dragged my hand and closed the door. I asked him why he was closing the door and he asked me to sit on the bed and told me that my husband was talking way too much and threatened me of dire consequences. He said that his mother missed the MLA ticket due to my husband’s interference. He said that if I wanted to grow politically, I would have to listen to his words,” the woman alleged in her statement.

“Then, he asked me to remove my clothes and I denied and said I would scream for help. He then threatened me saying that he was carrying a gun and would not leave me and my husband,” she alleged. Prajwal allegedly proceeded to use his mobile phone to record a video of the woman removing her clothes before he raped her.

The woman alleged, “He threatened to leak the video to the public if I revealed it to anyone. Keeping those videos, he used to video call me over the phone and would ask me to strip. He also raped me several times.”

She went on to add that she had not complained till now out of fear but decided to do so now because an SIT has been formed to look into the allegations against Prajwal.

The FIR states that the police have booked Prajwal Revanna under sections 376 (2)(n)(commits rape repeatedly on same woman), 354(a)(1) (physical contact and advances involving unwelcome and explicit sexual overtures), 354(b) (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe) and 354(c) (voyeurism) of the Indian Penal Code and section 66(e) (violation of privacy) of Information Technology Act.

The SIT probing allegations of sexual abuse against Prajwal had issued a lookout circular after he failed to appear before it following a notice served on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Prajwal – who is the grandson of JD(S) founder and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda – sought seven days to appear before the probe team. The SIT also issued notice to his father H D Revanna who has been named as accused based on the complaint of one of the women.

The JD(S) suspended Prajwal from the party on Tuesday in light of multiple allegations of sexual abuse against him. A case was registered by the Holenarasipura town police in the last week of April after pen drives with over 2,900 files went viral in Prajwal’s Hassan Lok Sabha constituency. A 47-year-old woman also filed a police complaint alleging she was sexually abused by Prajwal and his father and Holenarasipura MLA H D Revanna.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has since written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging to cancel Prajwal Revanna’s diplomatic passport.