Published 03:00 IST, May 31st 2024
Karnataka Sex Scandal Accused Prajwal Revanna Arrested in Bengaluru
The SIT arrested the tainted MP soon after his arrival at the Kempegowda international airport in Bengaluru amid late night, high-octane drama.
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Bengaluru: Over a month after Karnataka sex tapes scandal accused and suspended JDS leader Prajwal Revanna fled the country, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the allegations arrested the tainted MP soon after his arrival at the Kempegowda international airport in Bengaluru amid late night, high-octane drama on Friday.
The 33-year-old MP was arrested in the early hours of May 31 after he arrived from Munich on a private Business Class Lufthansa flight, and was taken to the CID office for interrogation. A large number of policemen were deployed at the airport to ensure he was taken safely for investigation.
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The MP, wearing what appeared to be a sweatshirt with a hoodie, returned to Bengaluru a month after the scandal broke out, only to be taken into custody by the Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) sleuths, who later handed him over to the SIT.
A court warrant was pending against him. After the formalities, the SIT took him under its custody.
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According to officials, police escorted him through a different exit, keeping in mind his security.
First Visuals Of Prajwal Revanna's Arrest At Bengaluru Airport | WATCH
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Interpol Issues ‘Blue Corner Notice’ Seeking Information on Prajwal’s Whereabouts
Exactly a month after he left the country, Prajwal Revanna, who is facing charges of sexually abusing several women, had on May 27 released a video stating he will appear before the SIT on May 31.
The 33-year-old Prajwal, grandson of JDS patriarch and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and the BJP-JDS alliance candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha constituency, is facing charges sexually abusing many women. He has been so far booked in three cases of sexual assault.
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He had left for Germany on April 27, a day after Hassan went to polls. A 'Blue Corner Notice' seeking information on his whereabouts was issued by the Interpol earlier, following a request by the SIT via the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
A Special Court for Elected Representatives issued an arrest warrant on May 18 against Prajwal Revanna, following an application moved by the SIT. The Congress-led Karnataka government has urged the Centre to cancel his diplomatic passport.
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MEA Issues Show-Cause Notice to Prajwal
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has served a show-cause notice to Prajwal asking why his diplomatic passport should not be cancelled as sought by the Karnataka government in view of allegations of sexual abuse against him.
The MP, terming the cases against him as false and alleging political conspiracy, had claimed in a video statement earlier this week that he had gone into depression.
He had also field an anticipatory bail plea at the Principal City and Sessions Court for Elected Representatives on May 29, which issued a notice to the SIT to file objections, before posting the hearing for Friday.
The scandal has raised a political storm with the ruling Congress and BJP-JDS engaged in a slugfest.
While the Congress government has formed a SIT to probe the cases, the BJP and the JDS – NDA partners – have demanded that it be handed over to the CBI, and action be taken against those behind the wide circulation of explicit videos.
How The Karnataka Sex Tapes Scandal Unfolded
The cases of sexual abuse came to light after a number of pen drives allegedly containing explicit videos involving Prajwal were reportedly circulated in Hassan, ahead of Lok Sabha polls there on April 26.
Deve Gowda had recently issued a 'stern warning' to Prajwal Revanna, asking him to return to the country and face probe into the sexual abuse allegations, while asserting there will be no interference from him or other family members into the enquiry.
The JDS supremo had reiterated that his grandson should be given the harshest punishment under the law "if found guilty".
Prajwal's uncle and former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy too had repeatedly appealed to his nephew to return to the country from abroad and face the probe.
JDS had suspended Prajwal Revanna from the party following the allegations.
01:19 IST, May 31st 2024