Grandson of Former Prime Minister HD Gowda, Prajwal Revanna, Receives Life Sentence for House Help Rape Conviction
In a landmark ruling, the former Janata Dal (Secular) leader and ex-MP Prajwal Revanna has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a special court in Bengaluru. The sentencing, which took place on Saturday, August 2, 2025, was in connection with a rape case involving a domestic worker at a farmhouse in Holenarasipura, Hassan district.
The conviction was based on extensive evidence, including a 1,632-page chargesheet, testimony of 113 witnesses, DNA analysis matching hair follicles and body fluids on the victim’s clothes to Revanna, and video recordings of the assaults. The rape case allegedly occurred twice in 2021, first at the farmhouse and later at a residence in Bengaluru.
Prajwal Revanna, 34, was found guilty under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including sections for rape by a person in a position of dominance and repeated rape. He was also fined Rs 10 lakh. The court also ordered a compensation of Rs 7 lakh for the victim.
The sentencing hearing took place on Friday, and the prosecution sought the maximum punishment for Revanna. The defense argued the case was politically motivated, given the complaint had surfaced just six days before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but the court rejected these claims.
Revanna was previously an Lok Sabha MP and was a suspended Janata Dal (Secular) leader at the time of his arrest in May 2024. He had left India for Germany after the scandal emerged but was arrested upon his return.
This is the first case of the three rape cases and one sexual harassment case against Revanna to reach trial and a verdict. The woman had originally remained silent for years due to fear and her vulnerable socio-economic status but was later supported by her family after videos went viral, which helped in securing justice.
The sentence was delivered by Judge Santosh Gajanan Bhat of the court designated to handle cases involving MPs and MLAs. The court also ordered Revanna to undergo a psychiatric evaluation before being sent to prison.
[1] ANI (@ANI) on Twitter: "Breaking: Former MP Prajwal Revanna convicted in rape case by a special court in Bengaluru"
[2] The Hindu: "Prajwal Revanna convicted in rape case"
[3] India Today: "Prajwal Revanna convicted in rape case, sentenced to life imprisonment"
[4] The New Indian Express: "Prajwal Revanna sentenced to life imprisonment in rape case"
In the aftermath of his conviction, the former Janata Dal (Secular) leader Prajwal Revanna faces a life sentence in prison, following his guilty plea in the rape case. This high-profile trial, extensively covered in general news, crime and justice sections, is a significant development in Indian politics. The ruling, delivered by Judge Santosh Gajanan Bhat, also includes a fine and compensation for the victim, setting a precedent for similar cases in the future.
