Karnataka HC: Law is Unyielding in Prajwal Revanna’s Case Amid Video Scandal
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Synopsis
The Karnataka High Court has asserted that the law must remain firm and cannot be altered in the case of Prajwal Revanna, involved in a significant sex video scandal. Despite requests for document production, the court emphasized the need to protect victims' privacy.
Key Takeaways
- The Karnataka HC reaffirmed the rigidity of law in Prajwal Revanna's case.
- Victims' privacy must be upheld despite the case's high profile.
- Inspection of evidence is allowed, but not in entirety.
- Charges against Prajwal include serious offenses under IPC and IT Act.
- The case highlights issues of privacy and legal proceedings.
Bengaluru, Jan 16 (NationPress) The Karnataka High Court, addressing the controversy surrounding the sex video scandal involving former JD-S MP and grandson of ex-prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda, stated on Thursday that the law cannot be altered merely due to the involvement of Prajwal Revanna.
The bench, led by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, expressed this sentiment while reviewing Prajwal's petition for the production of documents and electronic evidence gathered from his driver's personal mobile device.
"No violation of privacy for other women should occur. Let's not focus on others. The images of the victims are extremely obscene. The law cannot be modified just because it is Prajwal Revanna," the bench stated.
Prajwal Revanna had requested complete access to the data stored on the mobile phone. The court clarified that it would only permit the inspection of images, and could not allow access to information pertaining to other women.
The defense counsel for Prajwal asserted that the phone had undergone a thorough examination by investigators. "Each investigating officer reviewed the material. The electronic evidence must be acknowledged as evidence. The prosecution opposed the request for the entire data set."
Nevertheless, the bench emphasized that if the petitioner seeks data concerning other women, it cannot be granted.
"In cases involving victim privacy, the court can only facilitate inspection. Various methods for inspection can be arranged, but it cannot be provided in the form of a pen drive," the court stated.
The court further commented that apart from the case at hand, Prajwal cannot request data regarding other women. Everything involved is obscene, and there is a threshold for obscenity. The court cannot disclose information about other women. "You are attempting to reverse the situation," the bench remarked.
The petitioner’s counsel argued that this would result in significant prejudice against him, requesting permission to inspect the device.
The court also indicated that copies would be made available while safeguarding the identities of the women and dismissed Prajwal's petition concerning this matter.
The prosecution has charged Prajwal Revanna under multiple sections of the IPC, including Sections 354 (A) (sexual harassment), 354 (B) (criminal force against a woman), 354 (C) (capturing a woman’s image without consent), 376 (2) (N) (aggravated rape), 376 (2) (K) (committing rape while in a position of control), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 201 (causing evidence disappearance), along with Section 66 (E) of the IT Act.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the sexual assault videos case involving Prajwal Revanna submitted a comprehensive 1,691-page charge sheet to the Special Court for MLAs/MPs.
The charge sheet detailed that the victim was subjected to rape at gunpoint, with the incident recorded on video, while the victim was coerced into silence through threats of public exposure of the videos.
It further stated that the victim had refrained from filing a complaint due to fear.
