They relied on advanced forensic methods
In a landmark verdict, former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna has been sentenced to life in prison for raping a member of his domestic staff.
The 34-year-old politician, from an influential Karnataka family, was convicted on August 1, 2025, and sentenced the next day.
He “broke down and pleaded for a lesser punishment” after the court found him guilty.
The case marks a rare instance of a powerful political figure in India being punished for sexual assault.
Revanna is the grandson of former Indian Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, and his Janata Dal (Secular) party is allied with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.
The conviction follows a meticulous investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) despite a lack of clear visual evidence.
Explicit videos that triggered the case did not show Revanna’s face, only his hands, lower body and voice.
The scandal erupted in April 2024 during parliamentary elections, when thousands of pen drives containing obscene videos were distributed across Hassan district.
Within days, the Karnataka government formed an SIT. Four survivors came forward to file complaints.
BK Singh, who led the SIT, said: “Six cases were initially registered against Revanna.
“Five cases have been fully investigated, and a charge sheet has been filed, with one case leading to the recent conviction.”
He added that the trial, which began in January, was fast-tracked under Supreme Court guidelines for cases involving public representatives.
Investigators faced significant challenges proving Revanna’s identity from the footage.
They relied on advanced forensic methods, including anatomical comparison of genital features, a technique used in global cybercrime investigations.
Singh said: “We collected scientific evidence and submitted it to the court in the correct order. The court has upheld our charge sheet, and we are happy about that.”
Singh also commended the courage of the survivors, adding that the SIT worked without political interference.
Prajwal Revanna’s downfall began in 2024, when hundreds of explicit videos featuring him began circulating online, sparking public outrage.
He fled India in April using his diplomatic passport, returning a month later from Germany, where he was arrested.
His office initially claimed: “The videos had been doctored.”
The court considered the recording of the assaults a serious offence, contributing to the life sentence.
Revanna has the right to appeal and is still facing two other rape cases and one sexual harassment case, all of which he denies.
A separate case has also been registered against those who leaked the videos, with a charge sheet expected soon.
The judge’s decision has been hailed as a strong message that justice for sexual assault survivors is possible, regardless of the accused’s political clout.
Loading ...