Suspended Janata Dal (Secular) (JDS) leader Prajwal Revanna's custody was extended for another 14 days by a Bengaluru court on Tuesday, based on a plea by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Karnataka Police. The court's decision means that the former JD(S) Member of Parliament, who is facing serious charges of rape and sexual abuse involving multiple women, will remain in judicial custody.
The 42nd Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court ruled to extend his custody, after which the SIT transferred him to Parappana Agrahara prison. Revanna, who is 33 years old, was arrested by the Karnataka Police at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport upon his return from Germany on May 31. He had initially left for Germany on April 27, one day after the elections in Hassan.Â
A 'Blue Corner Notice' had been issued by Interpol to locate him, following a request from the SIT through the Central Bureau of Investigation. An arrest warrant was issued by a Special Court for Elected Representatives on May 18, in response to an application from the SIT.
Revanna's arrest is linked to a case registered on April 28 in Holenarasipura, Hassan district. The former MP, who recently lost the election in Hassan, became embroiled in controversy after explicit videos allegedly showing him were circulated on social media.
Revanna faces charges in three separate cases of sexual assault, including rape. The allegations surfaced when pen drives containing explicit videos purportedly involving him were distributed in Hassan ahead of the Lok Sabha elections on April 26. In response to these charges, the JD(S) suspended him from the party.
