Life Imprisonment for Former MP Prajwal Revanna in Rape Conviction Involving Household Employee
In a landmark verdict, a special court in Bengaluru sentenced former JD(S) Member of Parliament Prajwal Revanna to life imprisonment on August 1, 2025, for raping his 47-year-old housemaid on multiple occasions. The crime was reportedly recorded on his mobile phone.
The court proceedings revealed a disturbing abuse of power, with Revanna leveraging his political position to intimidate the victim. The court also ordered a compensation of ₹7 lakh to the survivor.
Regarding appeals, Revanna has expressed his intention to appeal the conviction in the Karnataka High Court. However, legal experts have noted that given the strong evidence and findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and trial court, it will be difficult for him to get immediate relief from the higher court.
This conviction is considered unprecedented in sexual offense trials in India, highlighting the seriousness and swift judicial process in this high-profile case.
As of August 2025, this is the first conviction among the multiple cases filed against him. There are ongoing trials in the other cases, but detailed outcomes of those are not yet available. The Karnataka High Court had earlier denied both regular and anticipatory bail in multiple cases against him in October 2024, reinforcing the judiciary’s firm stance.
The verdict counters last year's national outrage over elite impunity and calls for greater accountability. It represents a rare and historic conviction of a high-profile politician in sexual assault charges. Judicial outcomes in the other ongoing cases will test the consistency and resolve of India's legal framework in addressing sexual violence by public figures.
Revanna may argue mitigation or challenge evidence in his appeal. The survivor stated she was assaulted multiple times at his Hassan farmhouse and in Bengaluru.
The conviction of Prajwal Revanna may lead to broader reforms in safeguarding labor rights and ensuring equality before the law. Prominent voices, including actor and former MP Ramya, have lauded the verdict, stating "the law is the same for all".
Table:
| Aspect | Status | |----------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | Conviction | Life imprisonment granted on August 1, 2025 | | Compensation | ₹7 lakh ordered for the victim | | Number of cases | Four sexual abuse/rape cases filed | | Appeal | Revanna intends to appeal in Karnataka High Court | | Bail requests | Denied in October 2024 | | Ongoing trials | Other cases still pending; details not publicly disclosed |
In these subsequent events, the conviction of Prajwal Revanna, former JD(S) Member of Parliament, for rape, has led to calls for broader reforms in safeguarding labor rights and ensuring equality before the law. Notably, his appeal against this life imprisonment sentence will be heard in the Karnataka High Court, following the guidance of legal experts who see a challenge in overturning the verdict due to the strong evidence against him.
In addition, the court ordered a compensation of ₹7 lakh to the victim as part of the proceedings, which is significant in terms of general-news and crime-and-justice in India. Furthermore, the conviction marks a rare historic moment in Indian politics as the first conviction among multiple cases filed against him, signifying an important turn in addressing sexual violence by public figures.
