Prajwal Revanna
{{Short description|Indian politician (born 1990)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}}
{{Indian name|Prajwal|Revanna}}
{{infobox officeholder
| image = Prajwal Revanna (cropped).png
| birth_name =
| profession = Politician
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|8|5|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Hassan, Karnataka, India
| parents = H. D. Revanna
Bhavani Revanna
| nationality = Indian
| relatives = H. D. Deve Gowda ({{small|grandfather}})
Suraj Revanna ({{small|elder brother}})
H. D. Kumaraswamy ({{small|uncle}})
Anitha Kumaraswamy ({{small|aunt}})
Nikhil Kumar ({{small|cousin}})
| residence = Hassan, Karnataka{{cite web|url=http://myneta.info/LokSabha2019/candidate.php?candidate_id=4959 |title=Prajwal R(JD(S)):Constituency- HASSAN(KARNATAKA) – Affidavit Information of Candidate |website=myneta.info |access-date=8 March 2020}}
| office = Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
| constituency = Hassan
| term_start = 23 May 2019
| term_end = 4 June 2024
| predecessor = H. D. Deve Gowda
| successor = Shreyas M. Patel
| alma_mater = Bangalore Institute of Technology
}}
Prajwal Revanna (born 5 August 1990) is an Indian politician who served as a member of the 17th Lok Sabha from Hassan constituency.{{Cite web|url=https://www.elections.in/karnataka/parliamentary-constituencies/hassan.html|title=Hassan(Karnataka) Lok Sabha Election Results 2019 |website=www.elections.in|access-date=7 March 2020}}{{cite news |author1=Imran Qureshi |author2=Meryl Sebastian |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-68918326 |title=Prajwal Revanna: Karnataka MP's 'sex abuse' tapes spark outrage |publisher=BBC News |date=29 April 2024 }} In 2019, he was the third youngest member of parliament in India.{{Cite news|last=Rao|first=Mohit M.|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/karnatakas-representation-in-17th-lok-sabha-is-the-youngest-in-recent-years/article27278991.ece|title=Karnataka's representation in 17th Lok Sabha is the youngest in recent years|date=29 May 2019|work=The Hindu|access-date=7 March 2020|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}
In 2024, Prajwal was accused of raping numerous women, and videos of such acts circulated in Hassan, which were recorded by Prajwal himself. He was also accused of being involved in the murder of Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy in 2019.{{cite news |title=Sexual abuse case: Third FIR filed against Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna
|url=https://www.business-standard.com/politics/sexual-abuse-case-third-fir-filed-against-hassan-mp-prajwal-revanna-124051000926_1.html |work=Business Standard |agency=Press Trust of India|date=10 May 2024 |access-date=12 May 2024}}
Early life and background
Prajwal is the son of H. D. Revanna, former Minister for Public Works Department of Karnataka. He is a grandson of former Prime Minister of India H. D. Deve Gowda and nephew of former Chief Minister of Karnataka, H. D. Kumaraswamy.
Prajwal graduated in mechanical engineering from Bangalore Institute of Technology in 2014.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Deve-Gowdas-grandson-joins-politics/articleshow/46090222.cms|title=Deve Gowda's grandson joins politics|date=2 February 2015|newspaper=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=7 March 2020}} He joined a master's degree programme in Australia but discontinued it to join politics.
In 2019, he was appointed as the state general secretary of the Janata Dal (Secular) party (JD(S)).{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/prajwal-revanna-is-general-secretary-of-jds/article20999799.ece|title=Prajwal Revanna is general secretary of JD(S)|date=27 November 2017|work=The Hindu|access-date=18 March 2020|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}} He worked for more than 8 years in JD(S) party.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
Political career
In 2014, Prajwal joined the campaign of H. D. Deve Gowda from Hassan in the 2014 Indian general election.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/theweek/cover/2019/04/26/prajwal-revanna-the-rebellious-one.html|title=Prajwal Revanna: The rebellious one|website=The Week|language=en|access-date=7 March 2020}} In 2015, he was among the 10 young aspiring politicians in India to be chosen by Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, UK, to be exposed to the British way of governance. Although a JD(S) member, his entry into politics was delayed after the party denied him a ticket in the 2018 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election. Nevertheless, he was involved in the politics of Hassan.
In 2019, Deve Gowda allowed Prajwal to contest from Hassan for the Lok Sabha, himself moving to Tumkur.{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/lok-sabha-election-2019/deve-gowda-ends-suspense-will-contest-from-tumkur-724728.html|title=Deve Gowda ends suspense, will contest from Tumkur|date=23 March 2019|website=Deccan Herald|language=en|access-date=7 March 2020}} Prajwal won from Hassan, and became the only winner from his party's six candidates that contested the elections.{{Citation|title=17th Lok Sabha|date=6 March 2020|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=17th_Lok_Sabha&oldid=944190050|work=Wikipedia|language=en|access-date=7 March 2020}} Within 12 hours of the win, saddened by his grandfather's defeat from Tumkur, Prajwal announced his resignation and offered the seat to Gowda,{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/prajwal-revanna-to-resign-offers-grandfather-deve-gowda-the-hassan-seat/article27236642.ece|title=Prajwal Revanna to resign, offers grandfather Deve Gowda the Hassan seat|date=24 May 2019|work=The Hindu|access-date=7 March 2020|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}} who asked him to reconsider the decision.{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/lok-sabha-election-2019/deve-gowda-tells-grandson-prajwal-revanna-not-to-resign-736012.html|title=Deve Gowda tells grandson Prajwal Revanna not to resign|date=25 May 2019|website=Deccan Herald|language=en|access-date=7 March 2020}} In September 2019, the Karnataka High Court issued a summons to him over an incomplete election affidavit. Petitioners of the summons accused Prajwal of filing a false and incomplete affidavit with his nomination papers during the 2019 elections.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2019/sep/11/karnataka-hc-summons-hassan-mp-prajwal-revanna-over-incomplete-election-affidavit-2032211.html|title=Karnataka HC summons Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna over incomplete election affidavit|website=The New Indian Express|date=11 September 2019 |access-date=7 March 2020}} In January 2020, Justice John Michael D'Cunha dismissed the first petition on grounds that the petitioner had not complied with the statutory procedure under Section 81(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the second on technical grounds.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2020/feb/01/karnataka-hc-dismisses-petition-against-hassan-mp-prajwal-revanna-2097409.html|title=Karnataka HC dismisses petition against Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna|newspaper=The New Indian Express|date=1 February 2020|access-date=11 December 2020}}
Controversies
=2024 sexual abuse allegations=
{{Update|section|date=February 2025}}
Prajwal again contested from the Hassan constituency in the 2024 general election for the Lok Sabha.{{cite news |title=Incumbent MPs D K Suresh & Prajwal Revanna file nominations in Karnataka |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/karnataka/d-k-suresh-only-incumbent-mp-from-karnataka-files-nomination-from-bangalore-rural/articleshow/108844296.cms |access-date=28 April 2024 |work=The Economic Times |date=28 March 2024}} On the day of voting, his polling agent filed a complaint with the police alleging that some falsified photos and videos of Prajwal were being widely circulated in Hassan district and claimed that "the accused are going door to door and showing these obscene photos and videos, provoking people not to vote for Prajwal"{{cite news |last1=Desk |first1=South First |title='Morphed videos, photos of JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna being circulated,' alleges his polling agent |url=https://thesouthfirst.com/karnataka/morphed-videos-photos-of-jds-mp-prajwal-revanna-being-circulated-alleges-his-polling-agent |access-date=28 April 2024 |work=The South First |date=25 April 2024 |language=en}}
As media attention grew towards the alleged sexual abuse, on 27 April, the Government of Karnataka established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations. The Karnataka State Commission for Women stated that it had also recorded cases of women being forced and filmed without consent.{{cite news |title=SIT To Probe 'Obscene Video Scandal' Involving JDS MP Prajwal Revanna; CM Siddaramaiah Reacts |url=https://www.news18.com/india/sit-formed-to-probe-obscene-video-scandal-involving-jds-mp-prajwal-revanna-cm-siddaramaiah-reacts-8869270.html |access-date=28 April 2024 |work=News18 |date=28 April 2024 |language=en}} It was reported that thousands of pen drives containing these videos, reportedly made by Prajwal himself, were circulated, some being thrown in public places such as parks, bus stops and a stadium in Hassan.{{cite news |title=Prajwal Revanna 'sex scandal': Karnataka govt. announces SIT probe |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/prajwal-sex-scandal-karnataka-govt-announces-sit-probe/article68115548.ece |access-date=28 April 2024 |work=The Hindu |date=28 April 2024 |language=en-IN |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |last1=Joshi |first1=Bharath |title=Hassan sex scandal: CM Siddaramaiah orders special probe, Prajwal Revanna to flee? |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/hassan-sex-scandal-cm-siddaramaiah-orders-special-probe-prajwal-revanna-to-flee-2998042 |access-date=28 April 2024 |work=Deccan Herald |language=en}}
The following day, it was reported that Prajwal had fled the country for Germany using his diplomatic passport which does not require a visa. His family and party members said that his trip was pre-planned. However, he did not obtain the clearance required for use of a diplomatic passport from the Ministry of External Affairs before traveling to Germany.{{Cite news |date=2024-05-02 |title=Prajwal Revanna travelled to Germany on diplomatic passport, no political clearance was sought: MEA |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/prajwal-revanna-travelled-to-germany-on-diplomatic-passport-no-political-clearance-was-sought-mea/article68132550.ece |access-date=2024-05-06 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} On 30 April, Prajwal was suspended by the party, which stated that the suspension would stay till the SIT probe initiated against him was completed.{{cite news |title=Prajwal Revanna suspended from JD(S), but what was the compulsion to give him a ticket from Hassan? |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/politics/prajwal-revanna-suspended-from-jds-what-was-compulsion-to-give-him-ticket-from-hassan-19404930.htm |access-date=3 May 2024 |work=CNBCTV18 |date=30 April 2024 |language=en}}
As Prajwal continued to evade authorities, the SIT sought help from the Interpol to locate him, and a blue corner notice was issued on 5 May.{{cite news |title=Blue corner notice issued against Prajwal Revanna, Interpol help sought |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/prajwal-revanna-sex-abuse-case-cbi-blue-corner-notice-interpol-karnataka-hassan-mp-g-parameshwara-11714909728477.html |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=Mint |date=5 May 2024 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Explained {{!}} What is an Interpol 'Blue Corner' notice, and how will it speed probe against Prajwal Revanna |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/interpol-revanna-prajwal-sexual-assault-blue-corner-notice-probe-explainer/article68145488.ece |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=The Hindu |date=6 May 2024 |language=en-IN}}
On 31 May 2024, Prajwal was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore after arriving on a Lufthansa flight from Munich. Interpol informed the SIT of Prajwal's check-in and boarding information from Munich. He was detained by immigration officers and handed over to the police at the airport.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-30 |title=Police on alert as Prajwal Revanna boards flight at Munich, to reach Bengaluru post-midnight |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/prajwal-revanna-arrest-munich-flight-reach-bengaluru-9362396/ |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=D'Souza |first=Prajwal |title=Prajwal Revanna arrested by SIT in sexual abuse case upon landing at Bengaluru airport |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/prajwal-revanna-detained-by-sit-in-hassan-sexual-abuse-case-after-landing-at-bengaluru-airport-3045649 |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}} Initially, a special court for elected representatives remanded him to SIT custody until 6 June, which was later extended to 10 June.{{Cite web | title=Bengaluru court extends Prajwal Revanna''s SIT custody till June 10 {{!}} Latest News India - Hindustan Times | work=Hindustan Times | date=6 June 2024 | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bengaluru-court-extends-prajwal-revanna-s-sit-custody-till-june-10-101717675832730.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606123040/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bengaluru-court-extends-prajwal-revanna-s-sit-custody-till-june-10-101717675832730.html | access-date=2025-02-22 | archive-date=2024-06-06}} Prajwal's father, H. D. Revanna, said that Prajwal should be hanged if he is found guilty of committing any crime.{{cite web | url=https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=1208417 | title=Hang my son if he has committed any crime: Prajwal Revanna's father }}
=Murder of Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy=
In 2019, Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy, a former Member of Parliament and influential leader in Andhra Pradesh, was brutally murdered at his residence in Pulivendula. While the initial investigation pointed towards local political rivalries, a deeper probe unearthed alleged connections to a broader network of politicians outside Andhra Pradesh, including Prajwal Revanna.
According to investigative reports leaked in 2025, Revanna allegedly played a shadow role in the orchestration of the murder, acting on behalf of certain political factions that sought to silence Reddy before the 2019 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election. Sources indicated that Vivekananda Reddy possessed sensitive information regarding undisclosed financial transactions and illegal land acquisitions involving multiple politicians, including members of the Janata Dal (Secular) and its allied figures.
Conspiracy and Alleged Role
Reports from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) suggested that Revanna, through intermediaries, financed and facilitated a hit squad to eliminate Reddy. His involvement allegedly stemmed from his connections with politically motivated criminal syndicates operating in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Key names in the conspiracy included:
[https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/ys-bhaskar-reddy-arrested-in-viveka-murder-case/article66743391.ece Y.S. Bhaskar Reddy] allegedly coordinated with external actors for strategic cover-ups while [https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ys-vivekananda-reddy-murder-case-sc-stays-hc-order-to-release-gangi-reddy-on-bail-on-july-1/article66896837.ece Gangi Reddy] provided logistical support and acted as a local enforcer. There were also unnamed associates in Karnataka, allegedly connected to Prajwal Revanna’s network, facilitating movement of funds and manpower. On the night of March 15, 2019, a team of hired killers, allegedly linked to criminal elements in Hassan and Andhra Pradesh, entered Vivekananda Reddy’s home under the guise of political aides. The attack was swift and brutal, with forensic reports later indicating multiple stab wounds, staged to resemble a domestic altercation rather than a professional assassination.
Aftermath and Investigation
In the immediate aftermath, Prajwal Revanna publicly distanced himself from any involvement, focusing on his Lok Sabha re-election campaign. However, by 2024, when Revanna was embroiled in his own criminal scandals related to sexual assault cases, investigators re-examined financial transactions between his associates and individuals linked to the murder.
In a confidential SIT report leaked in February 2025, investigators allegedly found evidence of large fund transfers from accounts linked to Revanna’s inner circle, correlating with movements of key suspects in the Reddy murder case. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has since been petitioned to re-open inquiries into Revanna’s political and criminal dealings, with fresh calls for a multi-state probe into his alleged role in orchestrating targeted political eliminations.
As of March 2025, no official charges have been filed against Prajwal Revanna in connection to Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy’s murder, but ongoing probes and newly surfaced evidence continue to link him to the crime.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://sansad.in/ls/members/biography/5183?from=members Official biographical sketch in Parliament of India website]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Revanna, Prajwal}}
Category:Lok Sabha members from Karnataka