Prajwal Revanna Maid Rape Case

In April 2024, thousands of explicit videos were leaked in Hassan, Karnataka, allegedly showing Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna sexually assaulting multiple women, including his household maids and government employees. The scandal erupted just before the national election, causing a political firestorm. Revanna, grandson of former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda, fled to Germany but was arrested upon his return in May 2024 after an Interpol notice. A Special Investigation Team filed a detailed chargesheet for rape, sexual harassment, and criminal intimidation under the IPC and IT Act. His trial commenced in 2025, relying heavily on victim testimonies and forensic authentication of the leaked footage. The case is also marred by allegations of political interference, with his father H. D. Revanna being arrested and later bailed for related offenses. The defense argues the videos are morphed, while the prosecution stresses the consistency of survivors’ accounts. The videos, distributed on pen drives, depicted non-consensual acts recorded over several years. Multiple victims alleged they were silenced through threats and financial inducements. The Karnataka government’s handling of the case was criticized after it was revealed that authorities initially hesitated to register complaints. Women’s rights groups demanded swift justice and better protections for domestic workers. The proceedings remain ongoing in a special court.

As of the 2025 proceedings, the trial is ongoing before a special court for criminal cases against former legislators. No final verdict has been delivered. Prajwal Revanna remains in judicial custody.

The primary controversies involve whether Revanna used his political position to coerce the victims into silence, the admissibility and authenticity of the anonymously leaked videos as primary evidence, and allegations that the state government initially interfered to protect the accused. The defense claims the videos are doctored, while the prosecution argues forensic analysis confirms their validity.

The scandal severely damaged the Janata Dal (Secular) party and strained its alliance with the BJP. It ignited nationwide protests demanding stricter laws against sexual violence by public officials and stronger protections for domestic workers. The case also sparked a major debate on digital privacy, the weaponization of leaked intimate content, and the role of social media in shaping public trials before judicial outcomes.