BJP leader who flagged Prajwal's sex abuse arrested for molestation
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader G Devaraje Gowda was taken into custody late Friday for molestation and sexual harassment. A 36-year-old woman has filed a sexual harassment case against Gowda, accusing him of molestation under the pretense of helping her sell her property. According to reports, Gowda was nabbed while traveling from Bengaluru to Chitradurga. To recall, Gowda was the BJP leader who alerted the party leadership about Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna's alleged sexual abuse last year.
Other allegations against Gowda
Gowda, who contested in the 2023 Karnataka assembly election against Prajwal's father, HD Revanna, is also implicated in leaking videos of Prajwal's alleged sexual abuse in a pen drive. In December, Gowda warned the BJP leadership about Prajwal's alleged sexual misconduct and advised against giving him a Lok Sabha ticket from Hassan. Despite this warning, the BJP chose to field Prajwal from Hassan after forming an alliance with JD(S).
Sex scandal erupts after Hassan Lok Sabha polls
The sex scandal involving Prajwal emerged a day after the Hassan Lok Sabha constituency went to polls on April 26. Multiple videos of women being sexually assaulted had surfaced, with some allegedly featuring the 33-year-old politician. Following these revelations, Prajwal left for Germany and was subsequently suspended by the JD(S). Three FIRs have been registered against Prajwal on charges including rape, molestation, intimidation, blackmailing, and threatening, while his father is currently in jail for kidnapping a woman.
Prajwal yet to appear before the SIT
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the allegations against Prajwal registered the third rape case against him on Friday based on a complaint filed by a woman who worked as a maid for the Revanna family. Revanna has yet to appear before the SIT and had earlier sought time until Tuesday to appear before the team. Last week, Interpol also issued a blue corner notice against him.
