BENGALURU, MAY 8   :    The political landscape in Karnataka was rocked on Wednesday as Janata Dal (Secular) leader and Karnataka MLA, HD Revanna, was remanded to judicial custody until May 14 in a kidnapping case intertwined with the ‘obscene video’ scandal.

Revanna was apprehended by the special investigation team (SIT) on May 4 in connection with an alleged kidnapping case registered at the KR Nagar police station in Bengaluru.

The controversy enveloping Revanna and his son, Prajwal Revanna, has gained substantial attention. The SIT, formed by the Karnataka government, is conducting a thorough investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation, following a complaint by a woman employed in their household.

Prajwal, a sitting MP and the NDA candidate from the Hassan Lok Sabha constituency is seeking reelection for a second term. The voting concluded on April 26.

The legal implications surrounding Revanna, also a JDS MLA representing Holenarsipura, and his associate, involve charges under Sections 364A (kidnapping for ransom), 365 (kidnapping with intent to cause harm), and 34 (common intention) of the IPC.

The FIR lodged by the KR Nagar police identified Revanna as the primary accused and another individual, Babanna, as the secondary accused.
However, Revanna has vehemently refuted the allegations, labeling them a “political conspiracy” against him. “It’s a political conspiracy going on against me. In my 40 years of political life, I have never seen anything like this,” he asserted to reporters.

Former Chief Minister and JD(S) President HD Kumaraswamy echoed similar sentiments, accusing the Congress-led Karnataka government of orchestrating a character assassination campaign against Revanna.

“This government does not want a fair inquiry. They are misusing the office. Nothing is going to happen ultimately. They wanted character assassination of Revanna and for that reason, they are using their office,” he said.

Furthermore, Kumaraswamy demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the circulation of a pen drive allegedly containing obscene videos linked to Prajwal, asserting that it was disseminated by police officers.(UNI)