New Delhi — The Supreme Court of India has postponed the hearing regarding the Karnataka Special Investigation Team's (SIT) plea seeking the cancellation of anticipatory bail granted to Bhavani Revanna, the mother of Janata Dal (Secular) leader Prajwal Revanna, who is at the center of a high-profile sex video scandal. The hearing, originally slated for Monday, could not proceed due to the non-sitting of the Justice Surya Kant-led Bench. This case has garnered significant attention, as Prajwal Revanna is the grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, the party's supremo.
On June 18, the Karnataka High Court had allowed Bhavani Revanna's anticipatory bail petition in connection with a kidnapping case that is intricately linked to the ongoing scandal. The High Court imposed additional conditions on the bail, which included restricting her entry into Mysuru and Hassan districts, crucial locations relevant to the investigation. The Supreme Court had previously agreed to review the Special Leave Petition filed by the Karnataka SIT after considerable persuasion, calling for a response from Bhavani Revanna herself.
During the proceedings, the apex court highlighted the importance of the case, noting it pertains to the liberty of a woman whose guilt must be assessed during the trial phase. The court emphasized that the issue should not be politicized and sought clarification regarding the specific role attributed to Bhavani Revanna in the ongoing investigation. In response, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the Karnataka SIT, presented evidence that the victim in the kidnapping case had implicated Bhavani Revanna in her statement, recorded under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
The victim, who is from Mysuru, has alleged that both Prajwal Revanna and his wife, H.D. Revanna, a JD-S legislator, were involved in the abduction and subsequent sexual assault of a maid. As the investigation unfolds, Bhavani Revanna continues to cooperate with the Special Investigation Team, having already answered a significant number of questions posed by the police. The outcome of this case remains uncertain as the Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing, leaving many questions unanswered in this politically charged scandal.