The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the bail application of former JD(S) Member of Parliament (MP) Prajwal Revanna in connection with severe allegations of rape and sexual assault [Prajwal Revanna v State of Karnataka]. The Bench, comprising Justices Bela M Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma, dismissed the plea after a brief hearing.
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Revanna, acknowledged the gravity of the allegations but contended that the complaint did not include a direct accusation of rape. Rohatgi further claimed that the case had gained increased attention because of Revanna’s political ambitions, particularly with the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He argued that Revanna’s electoral defeat was partly due to the ongoing legal case. Despite these arguments, the Court refused to grant bail.
When questioned about the possibility of reapplying for bail in the future, Rohatgi asked if it could be done after six months. The Court responded, “We won’t say anything.”
Revanna was previously denied bail by the Karnataka High Court in October, prompting his appeal to the Supreme Court. Advocate Balaji Srinivasan filed the appeal on behalf of Revanna.
The charges against Revanna stem from an investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) into multiple sexual assault and harassment cases. On August 24, the SIT filed a detailed 2,144-page chargesheet before a special court designated to handle cases involving MPs and MLAs. Revanna is accused of raping a woman who had worked as a domestic helper for his family.
In a related development, the Supreme Court recently upheld the anticipatory bail granted to Revanna’s mother, Bhavani Revanna, in a case concerning the alleged kidnapping of the complainant-survivor.
