Special Court in Bengaluru finds former JD(S) MP guilty under multiple IPC and IT Act sections; conviction based on forensic identification methods used in international child pornography cases
Bengaluru, Aug 2 (TheTrendingPeople.com): In a landmark judgment, the Special Court for MPs and MLAs in Bengaluru on Friday convicted former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna in a high-profile rape and obscene video case, which had triggered widespread outrage during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) deployed cutting-edge forensic techniques, inspired by international child pornography investigations, to conclusively establish Revanna’s identity in sexually explicit videos where his face was not visible.
Identity Proved Through Body Part Forensics
Sources told TheTrendingPeople.com that the biggest hurdle for the SIT was proving Revanna's presence in the video, which showed only the lower half of the perpetrator’s body.
Drawing parallels with investigation strategies from Turkey and Japan, the SIT relied on sophisticated analysis of body parts including genitals, palms, toes, fingers, feet, and ankles. Medical experts—including dermatologists, urologists, orthopedists, and forensic scientists—worked together to match these features with Prajwal Revanna’s body.
They identified key markers such as:
- A mole on his left middle finger
- A scar on his left hand
- Distinctive bone structure
- Voice match from the audio in the videos
Key DNA Evidence Found in Unlikely Place
In a significant forensic breakthrough, police recovered a petticoat from a service quarters at a farmhouse connected to Revanna. The garment, untouched for nearly three years, contained semen that matched Prajwal Revanna’s DNA, as well as the victim’s DNA, further cementing his involvement.
The Scandal That Shook Karnataka
The case exploded into public consciousness in April 2024, when thousands of pen drives containing sexually explicit videos linked to Prajwal Revanna were found strewn across his Hassan Lok Sabha constituency. The constituency had previously been represented by his grandfather, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda.
The scandal implicated not just Revanna but also JD(S) party workers and a woman police officer seen in other leaked footage.
Timeline of Events:
- April 26, 2024: Revanna fled India using a diplomatic passport, shortly after polling concluded.
- April 27, 2024: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah ordered the formation of an SIT.
- April 30, 2024: JD(S) suspended Prajwal Revanna.
- May 1, 2024: Revanna posted from a foreign location.
- May 2, 2024: A former maid accused both Prajwal and his father, MLA H.D. Revanna, of rape.
- May 3, 2024: The complainant was abducted and rescued from a farmhouse.
- May 4, 2024: MLA H.D. Revanna was arrested.
- May 7, 2024: A Blue Corner Notice was issued for Prajwal.
- May 23, 2024: Former PM Deve Gowda publicly urged his grandson to return.
- May 31, 2024: Prajwal Revanna was arrested upon arrival at Bengaluru International Airport.
- August 1, 2024: He was convicted by the Special Court.
Charges Under IPC and IT Act
Revanna was convicted under multiple stringent laws:
- IPC Section 376 (2)(N): Repeated rape
- IPC Section 376 (2)(K): Rape while in a position of control
- IPC Section 354(B): Intent to disrobe
- IPC Section 354(C): Voyeurism
- IT Act Section 66(E): Violation of privacy
Verdict on Punishment Awaited
The quantum of punishment is expected to be announced on Saturday, August 3. Legal experts suggest the court may award life imprisonment or a minimum of 10 years considering the gravity of the charges and the public nature of the crime.
Political Fallout and Reactions
The Revanna case has deeply embarrassed the JD(S), already struggling with internal turmoil. Analysts say it may have lasting effects on the party's image, especially in Karnataka’s Vokkaliga belt, which was once the Gowda family's stronghold.
Women’s rights organizations and civil society activists hailed the verdict, calling it a victory for forensic science and victim justice. The SIT has been praised for using non-traditional investigative tools that go beyond facial recognition or CCTV footage, proving that scientific crime detection is possible even in complex, high-profile cases.