Bengaluru | August 3, 2025 — Former JD(S) Member of Parliament Prajwal Revanna has officially become inmate number 15528 at Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison after being sentenced to life imprisonment in a rape and sexual assault case. The 33-year-old politician, who hails from one of Karnataka’s most prominent political families, is now lodged in a high-security cell.
Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and son of senior JD(S) leader H.D. Revanna, was convicted on Saturday following a months-long investigation and trial that drew national attention. The case centered around multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power, with several women coming forward with testimonies and digital evidence, including videos.
Emotional First Day in Custody
According to prison officials, Revanna appeared visibly shaken after entering the jail. “He was emotional during his medical evaluation and expressed anguish over the verdict,” said a senior jail official. Medical staff confirmed his vital signs were stable, and he was declared fit for incarceration.
Revanna is currently being held in a secure area of the prison reserved for high-profile convicts. Additional security personnel have been deployed in his block to ensure order and prevent potential conflicts with other inmates.
As per standard procedure, Revanna will follow the prison dress code and daily routine. He will not be given any special privileges, authorities said, although his safety remains a concern given the public and political nature of his conviction.
Appeal Filed, Legal Battle Continues
Revanna has informed prison staff that he is pursuing legal remedies and has filed an appeal in the Karnataka High Court. His legal team is expected to seek an urgent hearing in the coming days, hoping to obtain relief or suspension of the sentence.
While the conviction has sent shockwaves through Karnataka’s political landscape, the JD(S) has distanced itself from the case. The party had suspended Revanna shortly after the allegations surfaced in early 2024. His arrest came following weeks of evasion, during which he was declared “absconding” by authorities, triggering nationwide protests and calls for accountability.
Case Background and Political Fallout
The charges against Revanna came to light when multiple women accused him of sexual assault, blackmail, and coercion. The case gained momentum after explicit videos allegedly involving Revanna were circulated online, prompting swift police action and a wider investigation. A special investigation team (SIT) was formed, and Revanna was eventually arrested after returning to India from an undisclosed foreign location.
His conviction marks a rare instance of a high-profile political figure in India being sentenced to life for such charges. Legal experts have described the verdict as “historic” given the weight of evidence and public scrutiny.
Meanwhile, civil society groups and women’s rights activists have welcomed the judgment, calling it a landmark moment in the fight against sexual violence by those in positions of power.
What’s Next?
The jail administration has said that Revanna will remain in high-security custody unless directed otherwise by the court. His appeal is likely to be closely watched, and any development could have further implications for both his personal fate and the JD(S)’s political credibility in Karnataka.
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