Karnataka High Court Denies Bail to Former MP Prajwal Revanna in Rape Case

The Karnataka High Court has denied bail to former MP Prajwal Revanna, who is serving a life sentence for rape. The court emphasized the seriousness of the charges and the potential for witness tampering if he were released. Revanna faces multiple allegations of sexual abuse, with several cases pending trial. His conviction stems from an incident involving a 48-year-old worker at his family's farmhouse. The court has allowed him to expedite his appeal process, which will be prioritized in upcoming hearings. This case continues to unfold amid significant public interest.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 3, 2025, 16:03 IST

Court Rejects Bail Application

On Wednesday, the Karnataka High Court dismissed the request made by former Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna to suspend his life sentence related to a rape conviction. The ruling was delivered by a division bench comprising Justices KS Mudagal and Venkatesh Naik T.

The bench stated that there was 'no fit case' for granting bail or suspending the sentence. They emphasized the seriousness of the crime and the potential impact on other ongoing cases against Revanna, concluding that releasing him on bail was not appropriate.

The court highlighted that multiple allegations of sexual abuse against Revanna are still pending trial. It was noted that the complainant in this case initially refrained from contacting law enforcement due to Revanna's influential political and economic status. Furthermore, he had not been granted bail during the trial phase.

The judges acknowledged the prosecution's concerns regarding the risk of witness tampering if the sentence were to be suspended.

The court also mentioned that Revanna could expedite the legal process by requesting an early hearing, which would be prioritized.

Prajwal Revanna, who represented Karnataka's Hassan constituency, was arrested on May 31, 2024, upon his return to Bengaluru from Germany, where he had fled on April 26, 2024. He was suspended from the Janata Dal (Secular) party on April 30, 2024.

His flight followed the emergence of videos allegedly depicting sexual assaults against multiple women, purportedly recorded by Revanna himself, during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Revanna has been implicated in four distinct cases, including one where he was convicted on August 2 for raping a 48-year-old employee at his family's farmhouse and filming the incident.

Three women have accused him of sexual assault, while the fourth case involves charges of sexual harassment, stalking, and criminal intimidation under the Indian Penal Code.

Following his escape to Germany, both Prajwal Revanna and his father, former state minister HD Revanna, faced legal action from the Karnataka Police for sexual harassment and criminal intimidation.

After his conviction, Prajwal Revanna filed an appeal with the Karnataka High Court, which is set to continue hearing his case on Tuesday.