On August 1, 2025, Prajwal Revanna, former Member of Parliament from Hassan and grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Special Court in Bengaluru. The conviction came in one of the four pending sexual abuse and rape cases against the 34-year-old politician, specifically concerning the rape of a 47-year-old domestic worker employed at his family farmhouse in Hassan district in 2021.
The court found him guilty not only of rape but also of sexual harassment, voyeurism, destruction of evidence, and violations of the Information Technology Act. Revanna wept during the verdict and appealed for leniency, reportedly. He remains in custody as the other cases progress through the judicial system.
Verdict Details and Proceedings Highlight the Depth of Abuse
The Special Court for elected representatives, led by Judge Santosh Gajanan Bhat, gave the verdict after a thorough and fast-tracked trial that included evidence from 26 witnesses, 180 official documents, and a comprehensive 1,800-page investigation report authored by a 40-member special investigation team.
The victim provided harrowing testimonies revealing repeated incidents of sexual assault and intimidation, including the distressing fact that Revanna recorded some of the abuse on a mobile phone to threaten her. The conviction section under Indian Penal Code 376(2), applied in this case, addresses sexual assault by a person in a position of authority, adding severity to the sentence. The court acted decisively to underscore that no individual, irrespective of status, is above the law.
Political and Social Background Leading up to the Trial
Prajwal Revanna’s case first came to light in May 2024, following the rescue of the domestic worker from the farmhouse near Mysuru where the abuse had allegedly taken place. She had filed multiple complaints and accused Revanna and his family of attempting to intimidate her through kidnapping threats to prevent her from pursuing justice.
As a three-time MP and former Janata Dal(S) leader, his arrest became a significant political event, especially as it unfolded ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which he lost amid this scandal. The life sentence delivered now represents a turning point for Revanna’s political and personal future, while the ongoing trials in three related cases keep the public’s attention fixed on this high-profile saga.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The conviction of Prajwal Revanna affirms a fundamental truth—that justice must be blind to social standing and political power. The Logical Indian stands in solidarity with survivors of sexual violence and pushes for a justice system that is compassionate, rigorous, and swift.
Empowering victims to come forward, ensuring their safety, and holding offenders accountable must be priorities in any society committed to equity and dignity. This case is a reminder that societal change requires not just laws but a cultural shift towards respect for all individuals’ rights.
