Karnataka High Court to Hear Prajwal Revanna's Appeal in Sex CD and Rape Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Prajwal Revanna is appealing a life sentence related to a sex CD and rape case.
- The Karnataka High Court is reviewing the appeal and has requested further documentation.
- Revanna claims the victim was coerced into making a complaint.
- The case has raised significant public interest and scrutiny.
- Revanna is also facing multiple other allegations of a similar nature.
Bengaluru, Oct 9 (NationPress) A division bench of the Karnataka High Court convened on Thursday to consider the appeal petition submitted by Prajwal Revanna, the former JD-S MP and grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda. The court instructed his legal representative to provide a summary regarding the sex CD and rape case.
Revanna has been convicted in the sex CD and rape case and is appealing against the life sentence pronounced by the trial court on September 29.
In his appeal, Revanna asserts that law enforcement coerced the victim into lodging a complaint against him.
The conviction involves serious charges, including repeatedly raping a maid and capturing videos of the acts.
This appeal was filed through attorney Basavaraj Sappannanavar.
The division bench, comprising Justice K.S. Mudgal and Justice T. Venkatesh Naik, has also sought clarification from the Karnataka government regarding the appointment of a Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) for this case.
The hearing has been postponed until October 28.
Revanna claims inconsistencies between the victim's complaint and her testimony, questioning the validity of evidence gathered years after the event, such as stains found on a bed.
He is seeking to overturn the trial court's decision, arguing that the charges against him are riddled with inconsistencies and procedural errors.
The Special MPs/MLAs court in Bengaluru sentenced Prajwal Revanna to life imprisonment for the rape case.
This case involves an obscene video and the sexual assault of a 47-year-old woman.
While pronouncing the sentence, Judge Santhosh Gajanan Bhat also levied a fine of Rs 10 lakh on the convict on August 1.
Revanna was found guilty of repeatedly raping the victim and abusing his position of authority.
The court mandated an additional fine of Rs 7 lakh to be paid to the victim.
He is currently facing three more cases of a similar nature.
The incident relates to the sexual assault of a woman employed as a maid in the guest house owned by the Revanna family.
In her testimony, the victim stated that she was raped on two occasions.
Prajwal Revanna has been incarcerated since May 31 of last year when he was apprehended upon returning from Germany, where he had fled after videos of his sexual assaults circulated widely ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Hassan.
Judge Santosh Gajanana Bhat delivered the verdict in this case.
The court sentenced Revanna to life imprisonment for repeated rape under IPC Section 376 (2) (N) and imposed a Rs 5 lakh fine.
Additionally, the court imposed life imprisonment and a Rs 5 lakh fine under IPC Section 376 (2) (K) for committing rape while in a position of control over the victim.
It was ordered that the Rs 7 lakh fine be collected from Prajwal Revanna for the victim.
Upon the announcement of his punishment, Revanna stood before the court with his hands joined.
Revanna is convicted under several IPC sections, including 376 (2) (N) for repeated rape, 376 (2) (K) for exploiting his position of authority, 354 (B) for using criminal force with intent to disrobe, 354 (C) for voyeurism, and IT Act 66 (E) for infringing on privacy.