In a landmark judgment that reverberates across India’s political and legal landscape, former Member of Parliament Prajwal Revanna has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the repeated sexual assault of a 47-year-old woman. The verdict was delivered on Saturday, August 2, by Judge Santhosh Gajanan Bhat of the Special Court for Elected Representatives in Bengaluru.
Revanna was found guilty under Sections 376(2)(n) and 376(2)(k) of the Indian Penal Code—provisions that address repeated rape and abuse of power to commit sexual assault, respectively. Alongside the maximum punishment of life imprisonment, the court imposed a fine of ₹11.50 lakh, of which ₹11.25 lakh is to be paid directly to the survivor as compensation.
A Case That Shook the System
The woman, referred to as Mridula (name changed), worked as a farm laborer on the Revanna family’s property in Gannikada, Hassan district. According to her testimony, Prajwal assaulted her multiple times—twice at the family farmhouse and once at their Basavanagudi residence in Bengaluru. Despite the traumatic circumstances, she found the courage to speak out.
Her account became the cornerstone of the prosecution’s case. Special Public Prosecutor BN Jagadeesha emphasized that Mridula attempted suicide after explicit videos of her assault went viral—footage allegedly recorded by Revanna himself. The videos, along with 180 documents and forensic image comparisons presented in the court, were used to confirm Revanna’s presence and involvement. Investigators matched visible body parts and voice recordings with Prajwal’s known identifiers and room backgrounds to establish a strong link to the crimes.
The survivor’s testimony was emotionally charged and marked by distress, yet she remained steadfast in narrating her ordeal. Prosecutors stated that despite breaking down multiple times during her deposition, her statements remained consistent and credible—ultimately becoming the most powerful evidence in the case.
Abuse of Power and Absence of Remorse
Prosecutor Ashok Naik argued that Revanna, holding a position of power and public trust, had gravely misused his authority. “He not only assaulted her but tried to silence her and even attempted kidnapping to cover up his crime,” said Naik. “He has shown no remorse. A strong sentence is needed to set an example.”
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which has been probing four cases against Revanna, submitted a 118-page chargesheet backed by 26 witness testimonies. All signs pointed to a deliberate and repeated abuse of power for sexual exploitation.
A Plea for Leniency Rejected
In court, Revanna claimed he was the victim of political vendetta, citing that the allegations surfaced only during elections. “I had a clean record as an MP and was a meritorious engineering student,” he said, seeking leniency. However, the court remained unmoved by his plea and focused on the gravity of the crime and the need for justice.
Judge Bhat made it clear that power and status cannot shield anyone from the consequences of their actions. “Justice must be served, not only for the victim but for society at large,” the judge remarked while announcing the sentence.
A Rare Conviction in High-Profile Sexual Assault Case
Revanna’s sentencing marks one of the rare instances where a high-profile political figure has been held accountable in a sexual assault case. He has been in judicial custody at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison since May 2024, and the trial progressed swiftly in a specially designated court.
The judgment is being hailed as a major step toward justice and women’s safety, particularly in a country where survivors often face stigma, character assassination, and delayed justice.
While the three other cases of sexual assault against Revanna are still under trial, this conviction may set the tone for future proceedings.
As Mridula begins the long road to healing, her courage has become a symbol of resilience—showing that truth can prevail even when power stands in the way.
