A Karnataka court has sentenced Prajwal Revanna, a former Indian MP and scion of an influential political family, to life imprisonment for raping his domestic worker. The verdict, delivered on Saturday, comes a day after the 34-year-old politician was convicted in a case that sparked national outrage when hundreds of explicit videos allegedly showing his assaults circulated on social media in 2023.
Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, reportedly broke down in court after his conviction, pleading for leniency. The case marks a rare instance of a high-profile Indian politician facing severe consequences for sexual violence, despite his family’s political clout through the Janata Dal (Secular) party, an ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP.
International Manhunt and Ongoing Legal Battles
The disgraced politician fled to Germany in April 2024 using his diplomatic passport after the scandal erupted but was arrested upon his return. While Revanna and his team initially claimed the videos were “doctored,” forensic evidence and survivor testimonies secured his conviction. He still faces two additional rape cases and a sexual harassment charge, all of which he denies.
Why It Matters
The sentencing has been hailed as a potential turning point in India’s fight against sexual violence by powerful figures. Legal experts note that convictions in such cases remain rare, particularly against politicians with deep-rooted connections. With Revanna retaining the right to appeal, activists fear the legal battle is far from over. However, the silver lining is that the verdict sends a strong message amid India’s ongoing reckoning with gender-based violence and abuse of power.
