Rape and Sexual Assault Case: Supreme Court Dismisses Bail Application of former Janata Dal (S) MP Prajwal Revanna

On November 11, 2024, the Supreme Court (SC) bench of Justice Bela M Trivedi and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma dismissed the bail application filed by former Janata Dal (Secular) Member of Parliament (MP) Prajwal Revanna in the case over allegations of rape and sexual assault. During the proceedings, Senior Advocate (SA) Mukul Rohatgi appeared for Prajwal Revanna and argued that the offence under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was not mentioned in the complaint, “The complaint does not talk about Section 376 issue.” While referring to Lok Sabha elections, He said, “All that becomes better once I contest for MP. I lost because of all this.” After hearing the matter, Justice Trived dismissed the case. SA Rohatgi asked, “May I apply after 6 months?” Justice Trivedi replied, “We are not saying anything.”

Prajwal Revanna is charged under Section 376(2)(n) (commits rape repeatedly on the same woman, Section 376(2)(k) (rape while being in a position of control or dominance over a woman), Section 506 (criminal intimidation), Section 354(a) (Sexual harassment), Section 354(b) (Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), Section 354(c) (Voyeurism) of the IPC, and Section 66E (Punishment for violation of privacy) of Information Technology Act. Earlier in October, the Karnataka High Court (HC) denied him bail resulting in the current appeal before the top court. Former MP Revanna was arrested on May 31 by a Karnata Police team at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport.