Karnataka High Court Calls For SIT's Objections On Plea By Prajwal Revanna Seeking Bail, Suspension Of Sentence In Rape Case

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to file its objections on the application filed by convict Prajwal Revanna seeking to suspend the sentence of life imprisonment imposed on him and release him on bail. The application is filed in appeal by Revanna, challenging his conviction in the first rape case registered against him at the Holenarasipura Rural Police Station of Hassan District.

Special Public Prosecutor Professor Ravivarma Kumar appearing for the SIT submitted that he would file the objections to the application filed by the convict and sought time. A bench of Justice K S Mudagal and Justice Venkatesh Naik T posted the matter for hearing on November 13.

Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra appearing for the appellant said that the prosecution be requested to furnish the objections a week before the next date.

Additional City Civil and Session Judge Santhosh Gajanan Bhat had on April 3, framed charges against Revanna under Sections 376(2)(k) (rape by a person in a position of dominance), 376(2)(n) (repeated rape), 354(A) (sexual harassment), 354(B) (assault or use of force with intent to disrobe), 354(C) (voyeurism), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) and Section 66(e) of the Information Technology Act.

The judge had convicted him for all charges and on August 2, he was sentenced to life imprisonment.

In his appeal, Prajwal contends that the SIT was under political pressure to tarnish his reputation. He submitted that a delay of more than 3 years in lodging the complaint is unnatural, and points to falsity of the case. He argued that if the complainant had really undergone the ordeal as alleged, she could have spelt out the same to someone in whom she reposes confidence.

It is also contended that by filtering the entire oral and documentary evidence available on record, it is clear that the prosecution made all efforts to "concoct and fabricate" its case.

As per prosecution, the victim worked as a maid at a farmhouse owned by the Revanna family. It is claimed that from 2021, during the COVID-19 lockdown, Revanna repeatedly raped her and filmed the assaults in different locations. Further, it is alleged that Revanna used the videos to intimidate and silence her, preventing her from complaining.

The SIT is investigating two more cases registered against Prajwal and he is presently in judicial custody. He was arrested from the Bengaluru Airport on his arrival from Germany on May 30 last year.

Case Title: State By Special Investigation Team AND Prajwal Revanna

Case No: Criminal Appeal No. 1977/2025