The political battle intensified in Karnataka on Thursday over the obscene video scandal involving former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda's grandson and suspended JD(S) leader Prajwal Revanna. The explicit video, showing Prajwal Revanna engaging in sexual harassment and abuse of women, has caused a major uproar in Karnataka's political circles ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), investigating multiple alleged instances of sexual abuse by Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna and related cases, has commenced its investigation into the leak of the explicit videos for the first time. The SIT arrested Likhith Gowda and Chetan from Hassan on Sunday morning (May 12) for allegedly distributing obscene content.
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Both individuals are reportedly BJP workers and close associates of former Hassan BJP MLA and BJP state general secretary Preetham Gowda. There are accusations that several followers of Preetham Gowda, due to his disagreements with the H.D. Revanna family, did not support NDA candidate Prajwal Revanna. Preetham Gowda has not yet responded to these allegations.
Following their arrest, SIT officials conducted a search at Chetan’s residence in Yalagunda in Hassan taluk and Likhith Gowda’s residence in Sharavanabelagola on Sunday. They recovered two pen drives and a Central Processing Unit (CPU) from a desktop computer that the accused had allegedly used to distribute the obscene videos. According to SIT sources, the duo had planned to destroy these digital devices to erase evidence but were apprehended just in time.
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Prajwal Revanna Driver, Who Leaked Sex Tapes, Goes Missing Amid Probe
Meanwhile, sources reported that Prajwal Revanna, the incumbent MP and NDA candidate from the Hassan Lok Sabha constituency, who had requested time to appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT), is expected to arrive in Bengaluru at midnight on May 15. The SIT has yet to respond to his request, and Prajwal Revanna is anticipated to land in Bengaluru from Frankfurt on Friday.
In a related development, the former driver of accused Prajwal Revanna, who had confessed to providing a pen drive with videos of the JD(S) leader sexually abusing women to BJP leader Devaraje Gowda, has gone missing following an SIT notice. The driver, Karthik, had worked for Prajwal Revanna for 13 years but had a falling out with him a year ago over an alleged land deal.
Former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has alleged that some influential leaders are behind the driver's disappearance, hinting at Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar, and questioned who sent Karthik to Malaysia. Speaking to the media, Dy CM Shivakumar responded, “Is brother saying so? That means he knows everything. Let him get the information from the central government. I am not crazy to send him (Karthik) abroad. I am a street fighter.”
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“There is no need for me to conduct politics by hiding people. They (Deve Gowda family) need it.” “That boy (Karthik) claimed he gave the pen drive containing obscene videos of Prajwal Revanna to BJP leaders. Let the discussion about releasing the pen drive take place later. Let's not divert from the real issue.”
Responding to Leader of Opposition R Ashoka's demand for the government to vacate office if it cannot arrest Prajwal Revanna, Dy CM Shivakumar said, “Ashoka holds a constitutional position. He was vocal on other issues, but regarding this case, he is silent. He should take state BJP President BY Vijayendra and others to meet the victims of the video scandal.”
“They should assure the victims of justice and give them courage. Former PM Deve Gowda and former CM Kumaraswamy, who claim to respect women, should visit the victims at their homes. Why are they not doing so?” Dy CM Shivakumar questioned. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to cancel Prajwal Revanna’s diplomatic passport.
On Tuesday morning, the JD(S) suspended Prajwal Revanna after the Congress government in Karnataka formed the SIT to investigate allegations of sexual abuse against him. On Wednesday, Prajwal Revanna commented for the first time on the issue, saying, “Truth will prevail soon. I am not in Bengaluru to attend the inquiry. I have communicated to CID, Bengaluru through my advocate.” In a social media post, Prajwal Revanna requested seven days to appear before the SIT.
