Bengaluru: Karnataka lawmaker Prajwal Revanna was arrested shortly after midnight upon his arrival at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport. Revanna, who had traveled to Germany last month following allegations of sex crimes, was taken into custody by a special police team investigating the charges against him. He will be produced in a court later in the day.
The Janata Dal-Secular leader arrived on Lufthansa flight LH0764. Sources revealed he had previously canceled two flights back to India.
A special court in Bengaluru had rejected his anticipatory bail request on Thursday. Meanwhile, police searched his home in Hassan and seized "incriminating material."
"I will cooperate to the best of my abilities"
On Monday, Revanna released a video statement on X, saying, "I apologise to my parents... I was in depression (over political rivals' attacks on the sex assault charges). I will appear (before the police team) on May 31. I will cooperate to the best of my abilities... I have the blessings of God..."
This message followed a warning from his grandfather, JDS patriarch HD Deve Gowda, who told him to return to India and surrender or "face your family's anger." Revanna's uncle, former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, issued similar warnings.
BJP has distanced itself from Revanna
Revanna, the outgoing Hassan Lok Sabha MP, won the seat in 2019 and was re-nominated for the 2024 election with support from the JDS' new ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party. The BJP has distanced itself from Revanna and the investigation, with state unit boss S Prakash stating, "We, as a party, have nothing to do with the videos and neither do we have any comments to make..."
The JDS faced internal criticism after party leader Sharangouda Kandkur warned of potential embarrassment if the allegations became public.
Revanna boarded flight to Munich
On April 27, six days after the allegations surfaced and a day after voting in Hassan, Revanna boarded a flight to Munich using his diplomatic passport. He posted a statement on X the same day, stating "truth will prevail soon" without mentioning the charges.
Cong formed a special team
The ruling Congress formed a special police team on April 28 based on complaints from the state's Women's Commission, and the first case was filed a week after the videos surfaced. This triggered a political row between the Congress and the BJP, each blaming the other for his escape.
Case was also filed against HD Revanna
A police case was also filed against his father, HD Revanna, for allegedly kidnapping a woman who claimed she was raped by both men. HD Revanna, a former MLA and Public Works Department Minister, was granted bail in the kidnapping case on May 14 and in the sexual assault case last week.
CM urged PM to cancel Revanna's diplomatic passport
On May 1, the Congress and the BJP escalated their disputes over Revanna. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting the cancellation of Revanna's diplomatic passport. He reiterated the request on May 22, following a similar request from the investigating police team to the Ministry of External Affairs.
A squabble ensued over the passport cancellation requests, with the Congress accusing the BJP of shielding Revanna. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar responded that his office received the request on May 21 and acted on it by May 23, following proper procedures. The External Affairs Ministry confirmed on May 29 that a show-cause notice had been sent to the JDS leader, giving him 10 days to respond.
Interpol issued a Blue Corner notice
On May 7, Interpol issued a Blue Corner notice to collect information about Revanna in relation to the criminal inquiry. The arrest warrant against Prajwal Revanna was issued on May 18. On May 23, Deve Gowda wrote to his grandson demanding he surrender, and four days later, Revanna posted the video announcing his return on May 31.
Charges Against Prajwal Revanna
Three cases have been filed against Revanna.
April 28: A 47-year-old former maid in Hassan alleged sexual assault and exploitation. HD Revanna was arrested as the primary accused, and rape charges were added against Prajwal Revanna after an additional statement from the woman.
May 1: A 44-year-old woman, possibly a JDS worker, accused Prajwal Revanna of raping her multiple times, including at least once at gunpoint.
May 3: A 60-year-old woman accused Prajwal Revanna of rape.
Prajwal Revanna has denied all charges, claiming a conspiracy by his rivals.
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