In a significant verdict for sexual justice in India, prominent politician Prajwal Revanna was sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of raping a former domestic employee. The decision, rendered by a court in Karnataka, came just a day after he was convicted, following explosive revelations of his alleged misconduct that surfaced in 2023 when explicit videos began circulating on social media, igniting widespread outrage.
Revanna, 34, stemming from a politically influential family and the grandson of former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda, has denied the rapacious allegations against him. After his conviction, he emotionally appealed for leniency, yet the court imposed a harsh sentence reflective of the serious nature of the crimes. Revanna has the option to appeal the decision.
Prior to his conviction, Revanna had fled India in April 2024, reportedly using his diplomatic passport, amidst growing scrutiny over the scandal. He returned from Germany only to be apprehended by authorities a month later. In addition to the current charges, he is facing two other rape allegations and one case of sexual harassment, all of which he continues to deny.
This case underscores the challenges of addressing sexual violence in India, particularly when it involves individuals from powerful political backgrounds, making Revanna’s life sentence a notable exception in a societal context often characterized by impunity for the influential.
