Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Sexual Assault Accused Prajwal Revanna Suffers Heavy Defeat in Hassan

New Delhi- On the day of vote counting for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, Prajwal Revanna was particularly in the spotlight. Embroiled in accusations of sexual abuse and having fled abroad, he was seeking re-election from the Hassan constituency in Karnataka.

It now seems like the citizen have made their decision. They have decided to not let an alleged abuser back into the system by making the Congress candidate Shreyas M. Patel the clear winner.

Congress’ Shreyas M Patel has defeated Prajwal Revanna of Janta Dal (Secular) by a margin of 42,649 votes. Revanna has received a total of 6,30,339 votes and Patel has received 6,72,988 votes in total, according to the official website of Election Commission of India.

Prajwal Revanna is also the grandson of former Prime Minister Deve Gowda and nephew of former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy.

JD(S) is contesting the Lok Sabha elections in coalition with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Allegations against Revanna:

According to a report by The News Minute, Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, aged 33, stands accused of raping four women and videographing sexual acts with more than 70 women, reportedly amassing around 3,000 such videos.

As the accusations gained public attention and momentum, Revanna fled to Germany on April 27, just a day after voting concluded in Hassan.

This abrupt departure may have contributed to the JDS losing the Hassan Lok Sabha seat, which was their only stronghold from the 2019 elections.

The severity of the assaults and the growing public outrage led to the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) dedicated to investigating these cases. The SIT issued a Blue Corner notice, which is typically used to locate, identify, or obtain information on a person of interest in a criminal investigation, in order to trace the elusive MP.

Despite his efforts to evade authorities, continuous appeals and warnings from prominent JDS leaders H.D. Deve Gowda and H.D. Kumaraswamy eventually pressured Revanna into returning to India.

Revanna was arrested in the early hours of May 31 upon his return. Following his arrest, he underwent a medical examination at a city hospital before being presented in court.

The SIT, which is thoroughly investigating the alleged rape and sexual assault cases, conducted an intensive questioning session with Revanna.

The court has placed him in SIT custody for six days for further interrogation and investigation.

 This scandal has cast a significant shadow over the JDS, which had contested the Lok Sabha elections in alliance with the BJP.

The party is now grappling with the fallout from these allegations, which not only tarnish Revanna's image but also potentially undermine the party's credibility and electoral prospects.