Once celebrated as a rising leader from Karnataka’s influential Gowda family, Prajwal’s career has taken a dark turn following severe criminal allegations and a conviction.
This blog explores his life, political journey, and the legal storm surrounding him, shedding light on the events that transformed him from a young parliamentarian into a symbol of political disgrace.
Who Is Prajwal Revanna?
Prajwal Revanna, born on 5 August 1990 in Hassan, Karnataka, emerged as a young leader in Karnataka’s political landscape. Belonging to the influential Gowda family, his lineage played a crucial role in shaping his early political exposure and eventual entry into public life.
Prajwal’s father, H. D. Revanna, served as Karnataka’s Public Works Department Minister, while his grandfather, H. D. Deve Gowda, served as India’s Prime Minister.
His uncle, H. D. Kumaraswamy, also held the post of Chief Minister of Karnataka, making the Revanna-Kumaraswamy clan one of the most dominant political families in the state.
After completing his mechanical engineering degree from Bangalore Institute of Technology in 2014, Prajwal briefly pursued a master’s degree in Australia. However, his studies were cut short when he decided to return to India to fully engage with the Janata Dal (Secular), also known as JD(S), his family’s party.
He was officially inducted into politics in 2014, joining his grandfather’s campaign in Hassan for the Lok Sabha elections. Though he was actively involved with JD(S) for years, his opportunity to contest came only in 2019.
That year, his grandfather H. D. Deve Gowda vacated the Hassan constituency to contest from Tumkur, giving Prajwal the chance to run for Parliament. The decision paid off, Prajwal Revanna won from Hassan and became the third youngest Member of Parliament in the 17th Lok Sabha, sworn in on 23 May 2019.
Why Did Prajwal Revanna Offer to Resign Just After Winning the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections?
Prajwal Revanna’s 2019 Lok Sabha win from the Hassan constituency was not just a personal milestone but also a significant moment for the JD(S). He was the only candidate from his party to win out of the six that contested, marking both triumph and tragedy for the party’s leadership.
While the victory cemented his place in active politics, it was accompanied by a dramatic emotional gesture that grabbed media headlines across Karnataka.
Just 12 hours after his electoral win, Prajwal announced his intention to resign from the Lok Sabha. The reason? His grandfather, former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda, had lost from the Tumkur constituency.
Deeply saddened by this loss, Prajwal publicly expressed his disappointment and declared he would give up his seat in deference to Gowda’s stature and legacy.
What Sparked the 2024 Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Prajwal Revanna?
In April 2024, Prajwal Revanna’s name became synonymous with one of the most shocking and disturbing political scandals in recent memory.
Just as the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were underway, several explicit videos showing sexual acts began to circulate widely in Hassan district.
What followed was a media storm, public outrage, and a cascade of formal complaints from women who claimed they were victims of non-consensual sexual encounters, secretly recorded by Prajwal himself.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Incident |
| April 2024 | Videos circulate; police complaint filed by polling agent |
| 27 April 2024 | Karnataka government forms SIT to investigate |
| 28 April 2024 | Reports emerge of Prajwal fleeing to Germany |
| 30 April 2024 | JD(S) suspends Prajwal pending investigation |
As panic gripped Hassan and beyond, multiple women came forward alleging they had been coerced or deceived into sexual encounters with Prajwal.
Some claimed they were filmed without their knowledge. These videos were not just circulated online but were also reportedly distributed in pen drives thrown into public spaces like parks and bus stops, making them widely accessible.
Allegations and Investigations
Among the key allegations was that Prajwal had used his position and power to exploit domestic workers, party volunteers, and farm labourers. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by senior IPS officer BK Singh, was immediately formed to look into the matter. T
he Karnataka State Commission for Women also confirmed that many victims had come forward, recounting their traumatic experiences.
The case quickly became a focal point of national debate, drawing comparisons with other high-profile abuse cases in Indian politics. For many, the scandal symbolised a deeper malaise within the political culture of privilege and impunity.
How Did Prajwal Revanna Evade Arrest and What Role Did Interpol Play?
Amid growing public outrage and police scrutiny, news broke on 28 April 2024 that Prajwal had fled the country, allegedly using his diplomatic passport. He travelled to Germany, reportedly under the pretext of a “pre-planned trip,” according to his family and party spokespersons.
However, this escape sparked immediate backlash. It was soon revealed that Prajwal had not obtained mandatory clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs before leaving, making his exit highly suspicious.
Role of Interpol
Once the SIT confirmed Prajwal’s absence from India, they contacted Interpol and requested assistance. On 5 May 2024, a Blue Corner Notice was issued to help locate and track his movements globally.
Interpol’s involvement marked a rare instance of international collaboration in a domestic sexual assault investigation involving a public representative.
Arrest and Return to India
| Date | Development |
| 31 May 2024 | Prajwal arrested at Kempegowda Airport, Bangalore |
| 1 June 2024 | Interrogated by SIT; medical tests conducted |
| 2–10 June 2024 | Remanded to SIT custody by special court |
When Prajwal finally returned on 31 May, he was arrested upon arrival by immigration authorities at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport. Interpol had shared his check-in and boarding information from Munich with Indian authorities, making the arrest seamless and immediate.
Reaction from Family and Party
His father, H. D. Revanna, publicly stated that if his son was guilty, “he should be hanged.” The JD(S), trying to save face, maintained its suspension and distanced itself from Prajwal’s actions.
This phase of the scandal exposed not only the gravity of the accusations but also showcased loopholes in diplomatic travel regulation and party accountability mechanisms.
How Did Investigators Prove Prajwal Revanna’s Guilt in the Sexual Assault Case?
The breakthrough in the sexual assault case against Prajwal Revanna came through an intense and technically challenging forensic investigation. The major difficulty for the Special Investigation Team (SIT) was the absence of Prajwal’s visible face in the circulated videos.
However, the investigators overcame this limitation with a multi-layered approach combining forensic, photographic, and voice analysis.
Forensic Techniques That Led to the Conviction
The key obstacle was linking the person in the video, whose face was not visible, to Prajwal beyond doubt. Investigators used studies from Turkey and Japan which specialised in identifying perpetrators in child exploitation cases based on genital and hand characteristics.
In the videos, while the survivor’s face was clearly visible, only the hands and genitals of the accused were shown.
Here’s how the link was established:
Scientific Evidence
| Forensic Element | Result |
| Photographic matching | 10 physical features matched on genitals and hands |
| DNA from survivor’s clothes | Confirmed match to Prajwal |
| Voice comparison | Matched with Prajwal’s voice sample |
| Background analysis | Tiles and furniture matched Prajwal’s properties |
Victim’s Testimony and Scene Verification
The survivor, a 47-year-old farm worker employed by Prajwal’s family, reported three instances of rape between 2021 and 2022, two at a farmhouse in Gannikada and one at the Revanna residence in Bengaluru.
When the police visited these locations, they confirmed that the flooring, interiors, and background in the videos aligned with those residences.
Investigators were also able to establish that the mobile phone used to record the videos was in Prajwal’s possession at the time the footage was created. Later, the phone was handed over to his driver, which completed the chain of evidence.
Importance of the Survivor’s Courage
According to Special Public Prosecutor BN Jagadeesha, the survivor’s testimony was pivotal. Despite breaking down multiple times during the court proceedings, she remained consistent, even when the videos were shown in court. Her bravery significantly contributed to the conviction.
This combined forensic and testimonial evidence convinced Judge Santhosh Gajanan Bhat of the special court that Prajwal was guilty. He was also found culpable under Section 66E of the Information Technology Act for violating privacy by recording intimate footage without consent.
What Is the Latest News on Prajwal Revanna’s Conviction and Sentencing?
As of August 1, 2025, Prajwal Revanna has been convicted by a Special Court in Bengaluru in the first of four sexual assault cases filed against him. This historic judgment follows more than a year of investigation, multiple public testimonies, and thousands of digital evidence entries.
Judge Santhosh Gajanan Bhat declared him guilty on several charges including:
- Rape
- Unlawful recording of sexual acts
- Violation of privacy under Section 66E of the IT Act
Sentencing Awaited
The court has confirmed that the quantum of the sentence will be pronounced on August 2, 2025. The case that led to this first conviction involved the farm labourer who filed the original complaint.
However, it is important to note that three more cases involving similar allegations are still pending.
Public Reaction and Political Impact
The conviction triggered massive reactions across Karnataka and national media. Legal experts hailed it as a rare example of swift justice in a high-profile political case. Meanwhile, JD(S) reiterated that Revanna’s suspension would remain until all cases reach final judgment.
The state’s Home Ministry also praised the SIT for its efficient work in handling sensitive digital and forensic data under public pressure. The fact that the videos had been circulated in public areas added urgency and visibility to the investigation.
Summary of Legal Developments
| Date | Event |
| August 1, 2025 | Convicted in first rape case |
| August 2, 2025 | Sentencing expected |
| Ongoing | 3 additional cases under judicial process |
Prajwal’s future now hinges on the sentencing outcome and the results of the other pending criminal cases.
Is Prajwal Revanna Linked to the Murder of Y. S. Vivekananda Reddy?
In an unexpected turn, Prajwal Revanna’s name surfaced in connection with the 2019 murder of Y. S. Vivekananda Reddy, a former MP from Andhra Pradesh and a prominent political figure.
While initial investigations had suggested internal political rivalries, later findings indicated possible links to a broader political-criminal network that extended into Karnataka.
Alleged Role and SIT Investigation
According to a confidential SIT report leaked in early 2025, Prajwal was allegedly part of a covert conspiracy that aimed to silence Reddy, who was believed to possess sensitive documents concerning illegal land deals and financial misappropriations.
Revanna was suspected of funding and facilitating a hit squad through intermediaries with ties to political factions in both Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. His name emerged in the context of:
- Financial transactions linking his associates to those involved in the killing
- Meetings allegedly held with co-conspirators in Hassan and Bengaluru
- Use of criminal syndicates to execute the murder discreetly
Key Accused in the Network
| Name | Alleged Role |
| Y. S. Bhaskar Reddy | Coordination and planning |
| Gangi Reddy | Local execution and logistics |
| Karnataka-based aides | Fund and manpower transfer |
While Prajwal has not been formally charged in this murder case as of March 2025, the probe remains open. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is reportedly considering reopening the case with a multi-state inquiry.
If further evidence surfaces, it may become another major legal challenge for the already embattled politician.
What Lies Ahead for Prajwal Revanna After His Conviction and Criminal Allegations?
The political and personal future of Prajwal Revanna remains uncertain. With his conviction confirmed and sentencing imminent, his role in Indian politics is likely to be severely curtailed, if not permanently ended.
Possible Scenarios
- Lengthy Imprisonment: Depending on the sentencing on August 2, Prajwal could face an extended prison term that will legally disqualify him from holding any public office.
- Further Convictions: With three more criminal cases pending, multiple convictions could strengthen calls for permanent expulsion from JD(S).
- CBI Inquiry in Murder Case: If fresh charges emerge in the Y. S. Vivekananda Reddy case, Revanna may face more legal entanglements that span beyond state boundaries.
JD(S) and Family Response
JD(S) has so far distanced itself from Prajwal’s actions and continues to enforce his suspension. His father, H. D. Revanna, has publicly declared that justice must prevail, even if it means punishing his own son. The family’s public posture suggests that political redemption may not be sought anytime soon.
Public Sentiment and Media Coverage
The media, women’s rights groups, and civil society organisations have hailed the case as a landmark moment in political accountability. Many hope that the verdict sets a precedent for future cases involving influential individuals.
At this stage, Prajwal Revanna’s political identity has been overwhelmed by legal narratives. Whether he will be remembered for his early promise or his criminal downfall is now a matter of public memory and historical judgment.
Conclusion
Prajwal Revanna’s story is a cautionary tale of power, privilege, and accountability. His dramatic fall from a promising political future to a criminal conviction reflects deeper issues in Indian politics. With multiple cases still pending and public scrutiny intensifying, his fate remains uncertain.
Whether justice continues to prevail will define how India holds its elected leaders responsible, not just for their policies, but for their conduct as public figures entrusted with immense responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Prajwal Revanna’s position in Indian politics?
Prajwal Revanna served as a Member of Parliament in the 17th Lok Sabha from the Hassan constituency between May 2019 and June 2024.
How was Prajwal Revanna related to H. D. Deve Gowda?
He is the grandson of H. D. Deve Gowda, former Prime Minister of India. His father, H. D. Revanna, and uncle, H. D. Kumaraswamy, are also prominent politicians in Karnataka.
What led to Prajwal Revanna’s conviction in 2025?
He was found guilty of raping a farm labourer and recording the act on video. Forensic and testimonial evidence played a crucial role in his conviction.
Is Prajwal Revanna involved in any other criminal investigations?
Besides the sexual assault cases, he is also being investigated for alleged links to the 2019 murder of Y. S. Vivekananda Reddy, though he has not been formally charged.
What did the SIT rely on to prove Prajwal’s guilt?
The SIT used DNA evidence, voice matching, background analysis from video footage, and testimony from the survivor to establish Prajwal’s involvement.
What is the political impact of Prajwal’s conviction on the JD(S)?
The JD(S) has suspended Prajwal and distanced itself from his actions. His conviction has hurt the party’s image and raised concerns over its internal candidate selection process.
