Once-powerful political dynasty in Karnataka, the Revanna family’s troubles deepen as MLC Suraj Revanna, brother of jailed JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, faces arrest over charges of rape and intimidation
In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through Karnataka’s political circles, Janata Dal (Secular) leader Suraj Revanna was arrested on Sunday following allegations of sexual assault.
This arrest marks another blow to the embattled Revanna family, coming on the heels of his brother Prajwal Revanna’s recent incarceration on rape and intimidation charges. Suraj Revanna, a sitting Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) in Karnataka, was taken into police custody based on a complaint filed by a 27-year-old party worker. The arrest occurred just one day after Revanna was booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including charges of “unnatural offences.”
According to deccanherald.com, “Suraj Revanna was booked under section 377 (unnatural offences), 342 (wrongful confinement), 506 (criminal intimidation), 34 (common intention) of IPC.” The gravity of the case has prompted swift action from law enforcement authorities. The report further states that “ADGP Law and Order R Hitendra issued an order today directing the Superintendent of Police of Hassan district to hand over the case concerned to Suraj Revanna to the Investigation Officer at CID with immediate effect.” In a move that underscores the significance of the case, Hitendra has also instructed “the DGP CID Special Units and Economic Offences Bangalore to take up further investigation.” This development marks a critical turning point in the ongoing scandal surrounding the Revanna family, as the investigation moves to a higher level of scrutiny under the Criminal Investigation Department.
According to the complainant, the alleged sexual abuse took place at Revanna’s farmhouse in Ghannikada on June 16. Revanna has staunchly denied these accusations, asserting that they are part of a political conspiracy. “I absolutely reject these allegations,” he declared in a statement. “An FIR has also been lodged against the complainant. Let the truth come out. I have faith in the law of the land.”
In an unexpected twist, Revanna’s aide, HL Shivakumar, has filed a counter-complaint accusing the party worker of attempted extortion. Shivakumar alleges that the complainant initially demanded ₹5 crore from Revanna, later reducing the amount to ₹2 crore, and threatened to file a false sexual assault case if the money was not paid.
The counter-complaint further states that the party worker had previously met Revanna six months ago and again in June, seeking employment. Revanna reportedly informed the man that while immediate job assistance wasn’t possible, it might be considered in the future. The alleged extortion attempt is said to have occurred following this interaction.
This incident is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding the influential Revanna family. Suraj Revanna is the eldest son of Holenarasipur MLA HD Revanna and the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda. The family has been under intense scrutiny since videos allegedly showing Prajwal Revanna with different women surfaced in Hassan. Prajwal Revanna, who had fled to Germany following rape and intimidation charges, was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on May 31 upon his return to India. Further compounding the family’s legal troubles, HD Revanna and his wife Bhavani are currently out on bail, facing accusations of kidnapping and detaining an alleged victim of their son Prajwal’s sexual assaults. As the investigation into these allegations unfolds, this case continues to reverberate through Karnataka’s political landscape. It raises critical questions about the abuse of power, political accountability, and the complex intersection of politics and criminal allegations in the state. The Revanna family’s mounting legal challenges have cast a long shadow over their political legacy, leaving many to wonder about the future of this once-powerful political dynasty in Karnataka.
