BREAKING NEWS: Indian MP Accused of Sexual Abuse Sparks Outrage in Karnataka
In a shocking turn of events, thousands of videos allegedly showing an Indian MP sexually abusing women have been circulating in the southern state of Karnataka, causing widespread outrage.
Police have launched an investigation into the allegations against Prajwal Revanna, who stands accused of assaulting multiple women.
Revanna has remained silent on the matter, but an official from his office has vehemently denied the allegations, claiming that the videos have been doctored.
The influential MP is the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda.
His father, HD Revanna, a legislator in the Karnataka state assembly, is also implicated in the police complaint filed by a former family employee. He has denied the accusations, dismissing them as a political conspiracy.
Suspension and Investigation
On Monday, their political party Janata Dal (Secular), or JD(S), announced the suspension of Prajwal Revanna. Founded by Gowda, the party is currently in alliance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.
Karnataka’s Chief Minister K Siddaramaiah has stated that a special investigation team (SIT) will be assigned to look into the case, following a request from the state’s women’s commission.
Allegations and Response
The allegations against Prajwal Revanna surfaced just a day after his constituency of Hassan participated in the general election on 26 April. Revanna, the incumbent MP from Hassan, is seeking re-election.
It remains unclear who leaked the videos, but reports suggest that over 2,000 pen drives were distributed ahead of the election. The clips, allegedly filmed by Revanna himself, featured the faces of the women he purportedly abused.
“The pen drives were strategically placed on bus seats, at bus stands, and handed out in public spaces like parks,” an official revealed to the Indian Express. “These pen drives contained over 2,000 files, including videos and photos, which were soon widely shared on messaging platforms like WhatsApp.”
Outcry and Legal Action
Following the disturbing incident, Nagalakshmi Chaudhary, the head of Karnataka’s women’s commission, penned a letter to the state police chief urging swift action against the perpetrators.
“Your blood boils when you see some of the videos,” Chaudhary expressed to the BBC. “There is one woman who is begging… ‘please don’t, please don’t’. You feel sick.”
Political Fallout
The case has ignited a political firestorm in Karnataka, with many questioning how someone facing such serious allegations was allowed to depart the country without undergoing questioning.
A state minister took to social media to demand answers from Prime Minister Modi about why the alliance fielded Prajwal Revanna as a candidate despite the allegations against him.
The BJP has distanced itself from the scandal, stating they have no involvement with the videos and refraining from commenting on the investigation.
HD Revanna’s brother, former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, condemned the accused politicians, labeling them “an embarrassment to society.”
“Don’t blame the family,” Kumaraswamy asserted. “HD Revanna and his family are separate. I don’t keep track of his movements.”
Senior party leader GT Deve Gowda pledged disciplinary action against the two men if the allegations are substantiated. — BBC
