The Democracy News :- Bhavani Revanna, the mother of rape-accused Prajwal Revanna, a former MP, received regular anticipatory bail from the High Court of Karnataka regarding the alleged abduction of one of the victims of her son's sexual assaults. The court granted this bail after Justice Krishna S. Dixit approved Ms. Bhavani's petition for anticipatory bail.
The court stated that there is insufficient evidence to support the application of Section 364A of the Indian Penal Code, as the victim did not provide any statements against Ms. Bhavani in her statements to the police or judicial magistrate. The court rejected the Special Investigation Team's argument that custodial interrogation of Ms. Bhavani was necessary, emphasizing the importance of upholding fundamental freedoms and liberties enshrined in the Constitution.
The court also dismissed claims that Ms. Bhavani did not cooperate with the investigation, highlighting her right to respond to questions as she sees fit. Regarding the SIT's assertion that Ms. Bhavani failed to prevent her son's criminal actions, the court noted that the legal duty of a mother in such situations was not clearly defined. The court also addressed concerns about Ms. Bhavani's political influence, citing previous cases where women accused of serious crimes were granted bail.
The court stressed the importance of treating women with sensitivity in legal matters, particularly in relation to bail decisions. Justice Dixit urged the media to report on cases involving women responsibly, warning against creating a biased narrative that could influence public opinion before a fair trial.
