Prajwal Revanna’s Conviction and Life Sentence in India

• Prajwal Revanna, a former Janata Dal Member of Parliament and grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, has been convicted and sentenced to life for rape and sexual harassment.

• Revanna raped a 48-year-old domestic worker twice in 2021, recording the incident on his mobile phone.

• In April 2024, explicit clips of his sexual misdemeanours were leaked, violating the safety and privacy of the victims.

• Revanna used political muscle and threatened a survivor to prevent her from testifying.

• A Special Investigation Team (SIT) worked diligently to arrest Revanna in May 2024, and the first charge sheet was filed in August 2024.

• The trial began in May 2021, with DNA analysis and the domestic worker’s testimony as key evidence.

• The Special Court of Sessions pronounced the verdict on August 1, indicating the speedy trial and conviction will provide hope to other survivors of sexual assault cases.

• The conviction underlines the need for swift and sensitive government actions to create a safe space for survivors of sexual abuse.