Karnataka Sex Tape Scandal Accused Prajwal Revanna Likely to Be Arrested Shortly

Bengaluru: Karnataka sex tape scandal accused Prajwal Revanna was on late Thursday night taken into custody by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the allegations. The now suspended JDS leader arrived from Munich to Bengaluru international airport around 12.30 AM on May 31.

Stay tuned for latest updates:

• Prajwal Revanna in SIT custody
• Reports are emerging of hectic activity outside the VVIP gate in arrivals bay.
• Immigration officials to take Prajwal Revanna in as soon as he steps out from the aircraft.
• Prajwal Revanna will be moved from the VVIP exit at Terminal-2 of the Bengaluru airport towards CID office.
• Immigration department officials to get Prajwal Revanna's signature on over 50 sheets of documents concerning his travel and places he had been to.
• Immigration department to take custody of Prajwal Revanna as soon as he lands in Bengaluru.
• Immigration department commissioner to arrive at 11.45 PM at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru.

The MP, who is seeking re-election as the NDA candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha segment, fled to a foreign country as soon as the news broke out that the Karnataka State Commission for Women requested Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to order an investigation into the huge cache of explicit videos showing several women being sexually assaulted allegedly by him.

So far, two cases of sexual assault have been registered against Prajwal.

Earlier this week, Prajwal released a video message in which he promised to appear before the SIT on May 31 and cooperate with the inquiry.

‘Prajwal Revanna Was at Palm Jumeirah in Dubai’

According to sources in the Karnataka government, there is a strong possibility that Prajwal Revanna is trying to mislead the media with Munich ticket. 

“We have received credible information that he (Prajwal Revanna) was seen at the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Therefore, both the flight ticket and boarding pass that have been in circulation in media could be misleading. He was in Dubai”, a source told Republic.

Govt Issues Show Cause Notice to Prajwal, Asks Him to Reply Within 10 Days

The official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), meanwhile, said that the Centre, following a request received from the Karnataka government on May 21, had issued a show cause notice to Prajwal on 30 May, and that he has 10 days-time to respond to the notice.

“He (Prajwal Revanna) has to answer within 10 days. We are still waiting for his reply. Once it comes we will move forward with the investigation”, the MEA spokesperson said.

Hundreds March in Hassan As They Seek Justice for Sex Abuse Victims, Demand Prajwal's Arrest

Meanwhile, hundreds of people took part in a march in Hassan, seeking justice for the victims of the alleged sexual abuse by Prajwal Revanna. They also demand the arrest of the accused and a fair probe into the cases.

The march under the banner 'Namma Nadige, Hassanada Kadega' (Our march towards Hassan), was organised by 'Naveddu Nilladiddare' (If we don't stand up), a human rights collective, and was joined by civil society groups from across the state, including women, labour, farmers, Dalit, and sexual minority.

The march was held amid the beats of 'Tamate' (a percussion instrument) and drums.

Besides demanding the arrest of Prajwal, the participants also sought justice for the victims and expressed solidarity with them.

The protest march began at Hemavathi statue near Maharaja Park in the city and concluded by handing over a memorandum to Hassan Deputy Commissioner C Sathyabhama, following which a mega convention was held at Taluk office road, during which activists reiterated their demand.

They also strongly condemned the vested interests for exploiting the women in the videos for "political gains", and called on the government to ensure the survivors' privacy, and safety.

Apart from the demand for action against those behind the circulation of pen drives containing videos of sexual assault, they urged the administration to ensure the deletion of videos which are in circulation on social media platforms.

Noted activists including former MP Subhashini Ali, writer Roopa Hassan, Vimala K S were among those who participated in the march.  

(With inputs from PTI)