You Are So Powerful; There Are Multiple Complaints: Apex Court Dismisses Bail Plea Of Former MP Prajwal Revanna Accused In Rape Cases

The Supreme Court today denied bail to former MP and grandson of ex-Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, Prajwal Revanna accused in two rape cases.

The Court was hearing a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by Revanna against the Karnataka High Court Judgment whereby he was denied bail.

The Bench of Justice Bela M. Trivedi and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma noted that there were multiple complaints of rape filed against the former MP.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi appeared for Revanna and contended, "The allegations are serious, but there are 2-3 factors to be considered." He submitted that the complaint does not talk about any Section 376 issue. While referring to the Complaint, Rohatgi submitted, "All that gets better and better when you (the complainant) start going to TV and I (Revanna) am contesting an election for an MP."

To this Justice Trivedi said, "You are so powerful."

"My Lord, because he was contesting as an MP, I mean.." Rohatgi argued.

"This is not the only thing," Justice Trivedi continued.

To which, Rohatgi agreed. However, he contended, "All these things also happen."

"There are many complaints," Justice Trivedi said.

Rohatgi argued that the present complaint is the only one, and the chargesheet has also been filed. "I was abroad. I came back and surrendered. Chargesheet has been filed. I have been an MP earlier. I was contesting for MP. I have lost because of all this. My Lord," he submitted.

Taking note of the submissions, Justice Trivedi said, "Dismissed."

Thereafter, Rohatgi asked the Bench if Revanna could apply after 6 months for Bail again.

"We don't say anything," the Court said.

Pertinently, on October 21, the Karnataka High Court denied bail to the former MP, Revanna, who faces two rape charges and an additional accusation of recording a video of sexual harassment.

The allegations emerged in April, with multiple women accusing Revanna of coercion into sexual acts that were allegedly recorded. In response to the controversy, video evidence surfaced just days before the April 23 Hassan constituency polling, where Revanna was the JD(S) candidate. Amid the fallout, he reportedly left for Germany on April 27, one day after voting concluded.

Following an investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and a Blue Corner notice issued to track his location, Revanna returned to India after calls from family members HD Deve Gowda and HD Kumaraswamy. He was arrested on May 31 but later lost the Hassan election by over 40,000 votes and has since been suspended from the JD(S).

Cause Title: Prajwal Revanna Vs State of Karnataka [SLP (Crl) No. 15292/2024; Diary No. 51324/2024]