In a landmark ruling, Prajwal Revanna, a former member of Parliament in Karnataka, India, has been handed a life sentence for raping his domestic staff. The verdict, delivered by a court on Saturday, follows a tumultuous case that attracted national attention when explicit videos of his alleged misconduct circulated widely on social media in 2023. While Revanna, who comes from the influential Gowda family—his grandfather was a former Prime Minister—denied the accusations, the court found sufficient evidence to convict him.
During sentencing, the 34-year-old broke down and sought leniency, but the judge imposed a strict penalty for his crime. Revanna had initially fled the country in April 2024 but was apprehended a month later upon returning to India from Germany. He is currently facing additional charges in two other rape cases and one of sexual harassment, all of which he continues to deny. The recent judgment has been hailed as a pivotal moment for accountability in India's political landscape, particularly regarding high-profile figures.
