On April 7, the Karnataka High Court issued a notice to the state government regarding the bail application of Janata Dal (Secular) leader and former Member of Parliament, Prajwal Revanna. The bail plea is linked to a rape case registered at the Holenarasipura Rural Police Station in Hassan District.
Justice Pradeep Singh Yerur directed the state to respond by April 15, which is the next date of hearing in the case filed under CRL.P 3292/2025.
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Senior Advocate Prabhuling K Navadgi, representing Prajwal Revanna, requested an early hearing. He highlighted that a coordinate bench had already stayed the trial while dealing with a petition filed by one of the co-accused. On the merits of the case, he argued that the complaint was filed after a delay of four and a half years without any explanation. He also said that his client should not be kept in custody for reasons beyond his control and that any new circumstances must be taken into account while reviewing earlier decisions.
In response, Additional Special Public Prosecutor B N Jagadeesha opposed the bail plea. He submitted that the Supreme Court had already rejected Revanna’s earlier application for bail, and there were no new grounds in the current plea to justify a different outcome. He added that Revanna is the main accused in the case and the trial has already moved forward against the others involved.
The court orally noted that while the Supreme Court had earlier denied bail, any fresh, substantial evidence not previously considered could be a factor. However, the judge also said that due to time constraints, the matter could not be heard in full and would be taken up again on April 15. The prosecution was also directed to reply on the legal points raised by the petitioner.
According to the prosecution, the victim worked as a maid at a farmhouse owned by the Revanna family. It is alleged that starting in 2021, during the COVID-19 lockdown, Revanna sexually assaulted her multiple times and recorded videos of the incidents at various locations. These recordings were allegedly used to threaten her and stop her from filing a complaint.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is currently investigating three separate cases involving Prajwal Revanna, who is in judicial custody. He was arrested at Bengaluru Airport on May 30 last year after returning from Germany. The present case, registered under Crime No.107/2024, falls under the jurisdiction of the Holenarasipura Town Police Station.
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Earlier, in October 2024, the Karnataka High Court had rejected Revanna’s bail pleas. The Supreme Court also dismissed his appeal for bail in November 2024.
