The controversy surrounding allegations of ‘sex videos’ involving Prajwal Revanna, a sitting MP of Janata Dal (Secular) (JDS) and the NDA candidate for the Hassan Lok Sabha seat, has escalated further. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has now received a case file from the local police station, intensifying speculations about Revanna’s future within the party.
In response to these developments, Prajwal Revanna, accompanied by his father and JDS MLA from Holenarasipur, HD Revanna, is expected to file an anticipatory bail plea in the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday. The SIT team, headed by IPS officers Seema Latkar and Suman D Pannekar, is actively pursuing the investigation. IPS Latkar will lead the investigation in Hassan, while Pannekar will record the statement of the victim at the SIT office. Another team will focus on examining the technical evidence in the case.
The SIT has already received two pen drives from the Hassan SP, and amid pressure from the Opposition, the JDS announced Revanna’s suspension two days after the case was registered against him. However, the final decision regarding his status within the party will be made following a core committee meeting in Hubballi on Tuesday. Media reports suggest that the party is considering either suspending or expelling him.
The controversy began with an FIR filed against Prajwal Revanna and HD Revanna for sexual harassment and criminal intimidation based on a complaint from a woman who worked in their household. JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy stated that action will be taken against Prajwal and that the investigation will bring out the details. He emphasized the party’s respect for women and its commitment to resolving any issues brought to its attention.
Revanna has denied the allegations, filing a police complaint on Sunday claiming that the videos were doctored to tarnish his image. Meanwhile, Congress workers have demanded Revanna’s immediate arrest, and the matter has attracted attention due to its timing just ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The surfacing of a letter dated December 8, 2023, addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah by Devaraje Gowda, a former party candidate, has added another layer to the controversy. The letter alleges that a pen drive containing the alleged sex videos had reached the Congress party and raises concerns about its potential impact on the political landscape.
As the investigation progresses and political reactions unfold, the situation surrounding Prajwal Revanna’s alleged involvement in the ‘sex videos’ controversy continues to garner attention and speculation.
