Sex Crimes Accused Prajwal Revanna’s Brother Claims Blackmail
Allegations and Counter-Claims in Karnataka’s Hassan
22.06.2024: In a developing story from Karnataka’s Hassan, Suraj Revanna, brother of Janata Dal-Secular leader Prajwal Revanna, faces accusations of sexual abuse. Suraj has claimed that he is being blackmailed with threats of false sexual assault charges.
Blackmail Allegations
Suraj Revanna’s friend, Shivkumar, has filed a complaint against two men, Chethan and his brother-in-law. Shivkumar alleges that Chethan initially sought his help to find a job. Shivkumar referred him to Suraj Revanna, but after failing to secure employment, Chethan began demanding ₹5 crore, threatening to file a sexual abuse case against Suraj if the demand was not met.
Media Appearance and Escalation
The situation escalated when Chethan appeared on a private television channel, claiming that he had been sexually abused by Suraj at a farmhouse. This public allegation has further complicated the case and drawn significant media attention.
Background: Prajwal Revanna’s Judicial Custody
This controversy comes on the heels of former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna being sent to judicial custody. The 33-year-old, grandson of JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, failed to retain the Hassan parliamentary constituency in recent elections. The sexual abuse allegations against him surfaced after explicit videos allegedly involving him were circulated in Hassan ahead of the Lok Sabha polls on April 26.
Party Reactions and Political Fallout
Following these allegations, the JD(S) suspended Prajwal Revanna from the party. The BJP has distanced itself from the scandal, with state unit head S Prakash stating, “We, as a party, have nothing to do with the videos and neither do we have any comments to make.”
Additional Legal Issues
Adding to the complexity, a police case has been filed against Suraj Revanna’s father, HD Revanna, for allegedly kidnapping a woman who claimed she had been raped by both Prajwal and Suraj Revanna. HD Revanna, a former MLA and Public Works Department Minister, was granted bail on May 14 for the kidnapping case and subsequently for the sexual assault allegations.