BENGALURU, 31 May: Prajwal Revanna, the suspended JD (S) MP facing sexual abuse allegations, was arrested on Friday upon his return from Germany, a month after he had left the country in the wake of explicit videos of his alleged actions doing the rounds in Karnataka’s Haasan.
In a clear messaging by the SIT probing the allegations, a team of women police personnel ‘welcomed’ Revanna upon his arrival here, as they were deputed to execute a warrant and take him to the CID office for interrogation.
After evading summons and staying out of the country for a little over a month, the 33 year-old grandson of JD (S) supremo and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda landed here past midnight from Germany’s Munich, only to be arrested by the special investigation team (SIT) minutes later and whisked away for questioning.
The NDA Lok Sabha candidate from Haasan, facing allegations of sexually abusing several women, was arrested after completing the due process, and further legal procedures will follow, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said.
Prajwal’s advocate said that the former is extending full cooperation to the SIT probe, and cautioned against any media trial in the case.
“Prajwal Revanna landed around 12:40-12:50 am from Germany’s Munich. As there was an arrest warrant against him, SIT accordingly arrested him and took him into custody and further legal procedures they will follow today,” Parameshwara said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, “… naturally he should have cooperated to the arrest. His immigration papers were cleared and he was brought out (of airport). As he had a diplomatic passport, things happened easily. After completing all the due process, he was arrested,” he added.
The SIT, sending out a message, deputed an all-woman police team to execute the warrant against Prajwal.
Soon after he alighted from the plane from Munich, he was received by women in Khaki, sources in the SIT said.
“It was a conscious call to send women officers to arrest Prajwal, sending home a message that the JD(S) leader exploited his seat and power as an MP with women. The same women have authority to arrest him through all legal proceedings,” a source in the SIT said.
There was also a symbolic message to the alleged victims that women officers are not afraid of anyone, the source added. The MP was later taken for medical examination under tight security.
Escorted by female police officials, he was taken to Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital here.
The SIT is also contemplating a potency test on Prajwal. A potency test is done to ascertain if a rape accused is capable of committing sexual assault on victims.
Meanwhile, Prajwal’s advocate, Arun G, met him here.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Prajwal, he said that the Hassan MP is before the SIT to give the fullest cooperation.
“Prajwal said, ‘I have come forward, the whole purpose of me coming to Bengaluru or before SIT is that I have to stand by my words. I have come forward. I will give the fullest cooperation’ – these are his words,” he added.
In the first case registered against him at the Holenarasipura town police station in Hassan on 28 April, Revanna is accused of sexually harassing a 47-year-old former maid. He is listed as accused number two, while his father and Holenarasipura MLA, HD Revanna, is accused number one.
Prajwal has been so far booked in three cases of sexual assault. There are also charges of rape against him. (PTI)