Karnataka High Court To Conduct In-Camera Hearing Of Prajwal Revanna's Bail And Anticipatory Bail Pleas In Rape Cases

The Karnataka High Court on Monday said it would hear in-camera the bail and anticipatory bail applications filed by suspended Janta Dal (S) leader Prajwal Revanna, who is accused of rape and sexual assault.

A single judge bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna said “This will be heard in-camera, it cannot be heard in open court. We will secure the order and do it (hear in-camera). It should not be that any person is put to ignominy at any cost” .

Special Public Prosecutor Professor Ravivarma Kumar had on the previous hearing of the petitions filed by Prajwal, prayed that matters be heard in-camera to avoid disclosing the name of the prosecutrix.

During the hearing today, the court was informed that a chargesheet against Prajwal has been filed before the special court. A copy was also placed on record of the High Court. The bench said it would go through the final report before hearing the petitions.

The SIT is investigating three cases registered against Prajwal and he is presently in judicial custody. The SIT had arrested Prajwal at the Bengaluru Airport on his arrival from Germany on May 30, in the wee hours. He has been arrested in Crime No.107/2024, registered with the Holenarasipura Town Police Station. The court had on the next day remanded him to custody.

Bail is sought in the first case registered against him at Holenarasipura police station. Anticipatory bail is sought in the case registered by the SIT at Bengaluru.

Before the Lok Sabha elections on April 26, videos went viral showing women being sexually assaulted, allegedly by Prajwal. After casting his vote he had moved out of India.

Based on the letter written by the Karnataka State Commission for Women chief wrote to the State government, the latter formed a special investigation team which is probing the case.

Earlier, the police had arrested his father and Holenarasipura MLA H D Revanna on charges of kidnapping a woman, later he was released on bail. Prajwal's mother Bhavani Revanna was granted anticipatory bail in the same kidnapping case by the Karnataka High Court.

Prajwal's brother Suraj Revanna has also been arrested in connection with a case of alleged sexual abuse of a man and has been sent to police custody till July 1 and is released on bail.

Case Title: Prajwal Revanna v. State of Karnataka

Case No: CRL.P 6401/2024

Appearance: SPP Senior Advocate Professor Ravivarma Kumar for Respondent.