Hassan: The Supreme Court has rejected the bail plea of former Member of Parliament (MP) Prajwal Revanna, who faces serious allegations in a high-profile rape case. Revanna, who has been in jail for five to six months, had hoped for bail after previous rejections from local and high courts. His legal team, led by prominent senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, approached the Supreme Court for relief, but a bench headed by Justice Bela Trivedi dismissed the plea, emphasizing concerns over his influential status.
The allegations against Revanna stem from a case in which a domestic helper allegedly committed a rape involving a JD(S) worker, with Revanna reportedly being linked to the incident. Following the initial accusations, a case was registered in Hassan, leading to Revanna’s arrest. The investigation progressed quickly, and a chargesheet was filed, formalizing the accusations. Since then, Revanna’s legal team has made multiple attempts to secure his release on bail, citing reasons related to due process and additional considerations surrounding the charges.
During the hearing, Rohatgi attempted to present further arguments, hinting at what he described as “serious allegations” that could potentially influence the case’s outcome. He informed the court that he would not directly address the rape charges under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) but wished to clarify other points in the complaint. However, Justice Trivedi interrupted further discourse, stating that Revanna’s influential position posed concerns. Citing this as a risk, Justice Trivedi decided against bail, asserting that allowing Revanna’s release could potentially affect the judicial process.
Rohatgi then inquired if they could reapply for bail after six months, suggesting that the defense may have additional grounds to present in the future. However, Justice Trivedi concluded the proceedings by stating that no opinion on this would be provided, leaving Revanna’s legal team without a clear timeline for any future bail attempts.
Revanna’s continued detention signifies a serious stance by the judiciary on cases involving influential figures, particularly when charges are as serious as those against him. The case has attracted considerable attention, especially in Hassan, given Revanna’s political standing and family connections within the Janata Dal (Secular) party. The judicial system’s cautious approach underscores an effort to prevent any undue influence that may arise from Revanna’s position or power.
