Bengaluru: Three Karnataka police personnel who were part of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that investigated sexual assault cases involving former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna have been selected for the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak-2026, awarded by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for excellence in investigation.
The awardees are Inspector Shobha N, Assistant Sub-Inspector Rathnamma K and Civil Police Head Constable Balakrishna Y. Their investigation work contributed to the case that resulted in Prajwal Revanna’s conviction for raping a domestic worker at a farmhouse in Holenarasipura taluk of Hassan district.
The recognition places the three officers among seven personnel from Karnataka selected for the national-level police medal this year. The Ministry of Home Affairs announced the 2026 awards on October 31. A total of 490 personnel from across the country were selected.
Three officers recognised for investigation
Inspector Shobha N, ASI Rathnamma K and Civil Police Head Constable Balakrishna Y were part of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) team that worked on the Prajwal Revanna investigation.
The team was headed by senior IPS officer and Additional Director General of Police BK Singh. The investigation involved examining evidence and building the prosecution’s case in a high-profile matter that drew national attention.
The three officers’ selection for the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak recognises their contribution to the investigation. The medal acknowledges outstanding work in areas including investigation, special operations, intelligence and forensic science.
The other Karnataka awardees include Inspector Rukumuddin Bavuddin Gadekar of Malamaruti police station in Belagavi, Inspector Manjunath of Devadurga police station in Raichur, Inspector M Sreenivas Rao and Forensic Science Laboratory Deputy Director Dr Chandrashekhar.
Investigation led to conviction in Holenarasipura case
The investigation that brought recognition to the three officers concerned a domestic worker who had worked at a farmhouse belonging to the Revanna family in Gannikada, near Holenarasipura in Hassan district.
The woman accused Prajwal Revanna of sexually assaulting her repeatedly. The prosecution’s case concerned incidents at the farmhouse and the family’s residence in Bengaluru during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
The case was investigated by the Karnataka SIT under the CID. Investigators gathered witness statements, digital evidence and forensic material to establish the prosecution’s case.
A special court in Bengaluru found Prajwal Revanna guilty in August 2025. The court convicted him of offences that included repeated rape, sexual harassment, voyeurism, criminal intimidation and destruction of evidence, along with offences under the Information Technology Act.
On August 2, 2025, the court sentenced him to life imprisonment. The court also directed that ₹11.25 lakh collected as fines be paid to the survivor.
The case became one of the most closely watched criminal proceedings in Karnataka, given the accused’s political background and the nature of the allegations.
Who is Prajwal Revanna?
Prajwal Revanna is the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and the nephew of Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy. He represented the Hassan Lok Sabha constituency from 2019 to 2024.
The sexual assault allegations came into public focus in April 2024 after videos allegedly showing sexual abuse of women circulated in Hassan ahead of the Lok Sabha election. Multiple complaints were registered, and the Karnataka government constituted an SIT to investigate the cases.
Prajwal was arrested in May 2024 after returning to India from Germany. He faced four sexual assault cases. The conviction in the Holenarasipura farmhouse case was the first conviction in those proceedings.
The court’s findings in the case included evidence relating to the recording and circulation of videos of the assault. The conviction covered offences including voyeurism and violations of privacy under the Information Technology Act.
National recognition for police investigation
The Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak is intended to recognise exemplary performance by police and other personnel in specialised areas of law enforcement. The 2026 selection includes officers and personnel from different parts of the country for work in investigation, special operations, intelligence and forensic science.
For the Karnataka officers, the recognition follows an investigation that required coordination among investigators, forensic specialists and other members of the prosecution team.
The selection of Inspector Shobha N, ASI Rathnamma K and Head Constable Balakrishna Y highlights the contribution of police personnel working behind the scenes in complex criminal investigations. Their work in the Prajwal Revanna case has now received national-level recognition through the Ministry of Home Affairs award.