Bengaluru, August 2, 2025 – In a major court ruling today, Prajwal Revanna, grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, has been sentenced to life imprisonment till death by a special court for MPs and MLAs in Bengaluru. The verdict comes after his conviction in a rape and sexual assault case involving his former domestic aid.
The Case Details
The court found Prajwal, a former Lok Sabha MP representing Hassan, guilty of repeatedly raping a 47-year-old domestic help at the family farmhouse in Holenarasipura. The assault allegedly took place over a period of time and was captured on video, which Prajwal reportedly used to intimidate the victim.
In her testimony, the survivor revealed how she was assaulted twice and threatened into silence. The court framed charges under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including rape, voyeurism, intimidation, and the unlawful circulation of intimate images.
Sentence and Compensation
Presiding Judge Santosh Gajanan Bhat handed down a sentence of life imprisonment until death, along with a fine of ₹10 lakh, of which ₹7 lakh will go directly to the survivor.
In addition, under other relevant charges, Prajwal was given additional prison terms ranging from two to seven years, and a three-year term under the Information Technology Act for recording and circulating the abusive video.
Political Fallout
This ruling marks a dramatic fall from grace for Prajwal Revanna, once viewed as a promising political heir from Karnataka’s influential Gowda family. His father H.D. Revanna and uncle H.D. Kumaraswamy have both held ministerial roles in the state.
The scandal emerged ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections when videos of sexual assault made headlines. Prajwal reportedly fled to Germany before being arrested upon his return to India in May 2024. He was expelled from the Janata Dal (Secular) party and lost his seat in the polls.
Broader Significance
Legal analysts have hailed the verdict as a significant precedent. The special court’s decision reflects that neither political power nor lineage grants immunity from punishment. The survivor’s legal team said the ruling should serve as a warning to influential persons exploiting their position.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Accused | Prajwal Revanna (34), former JD(S) MP |
| Victim | 47-year-old domestic help |
| Conviction | Rape, voyeurism, intimidation, IT Act violations |
| Sentence | Life imprisonment till death, plus ₹10 lakh fine |
| Compensation | ₹7 lakh awarded to survivor |
| Additional Sentences | 2–7 years under other IPC charges; IT Act term |
In conclusion, today’s judgment underscores the judiciary’s resolve to uphold justice, even against politically powerful individuals. As the survivor and her lawyers celebrate closure, it remains to be seen how the political and social repercussions will unfold.
