One year ago, the state of Karnataka was jolted by explosive allegations of sexual assault against Prajwal Revanna, a former MP and key figure in the Janata Dal (Secular) party. While media attention may have dwindled, the lives of the women who bravely came forward remain deeply affected — scarred by stigma, silence, and waiting.

“Wasn’t Your Mother in That Video?”: Trauma That Never Ends

For 22-year-old Rama*, life has been upended since April 2023. The world found out about his mother, Mridula*, through disturbing videos circulating online — visuals that allegedly showed her being sexually assaulted by Prajwal Revanna. Now living with his father and grandmother in a remote Mysuru village, Rama faces daily humiliation and social exclusion. “People still ask me that. It never stops,” he says.

His father, once employed, has withdrawn into alcoholism. “He doesn’t speak anymore,” Rama adds, reflecting the toll this case has taken on the family. His mother is in a Bengaluru safe house, and Rama last saw her three months ago. “I just want her home,” he says.

Living in the Shadows: The Reality of a Safe House

Girija* and her 29-year-old daughter Sunita* have spent the last year under police protection, away from their old lives. While celebrations like birthdays provide a sliver of joy — “We got a cake and balloons,” Sunita recalls — uncertainty looms large. “We don’t know how long we’ll be here,” she says.

Despite health issues and psychological trauma, they remain resilient. Court proceedings have just begun, but the path to justice remains long and emotionally draining.

How It All Started: A Shocking Political Scandal

The allegations emerged just before the first phase of the 2023 Lok Sabha elections. Explicit videos involving a politician went viral, sparking outrage and speculation. Soon, it was confirmed: Prajwal Revanna, grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, was the man in the videos.

The Mahila Dourjanya Virodhi Vedike demanded urgent action. The Karnataka State Women’s Commission acted swiftly, urging the Chief Minister to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was established on April 28, 2023. By then, Revanna had fled the country.

70 Women Identified, But Only Five Complaints Filed

Though the SIT identified approximately 70 women from the videos, only five filed formal complaints. Investigators cited social stigma and fear of retribution as primary reasons for the silence of others. Each video had to be examined multiple times by officers — male and female — to gather evidence.

The SIT filed chargesheets based on the five complaints. The trial in Mridula’s case began earlier this week.

Power and Silence: Holenarasipura Still in Fear

Revanna’s hometown, Holenarasipura, remains mostly silent. His father, MLA HD Revanna, is said to have ruled Hassan district like a personal kingdom. Activists allege that both he and his wife Bhavani played roles in the alleged kidnapping of Mridula, who once worked on their farm and was repeatedly assaulted by Prajwal.

Dharmesh, a local CPI(M) leader, notes that Revanna’s grip on power has loosened but not vanished. “Without a strong alternative, caste-based politics still thrives,” he warns. Despite the scandal, JD(S) continues to perform in rural cooperative society elections.

Justice Delayed: A Painful Wait for Closure

For the survivors, the legal process has been agonizingly slow. Rama doesn’t fully understand the legal nuances but clings to hope. “I just want my mother to come home,” he says. Girija and Sunita, though emotionally exhausted, still believe justice will come — eventually.

This case is a grim reminder that while headlines may fade, the lives shattered by abuse do not. As the courts begin their proceedings, the survivors wait — not just for justice, but for a return to dignity and normalcy.

Categories: Law & Justice, Karnataka News, Women’s Rights
Tags: Prajwal Revanna, Karnataka sexual assault case, JD(S) scandal, SIT investigation Karnataka, survivor stories India, gender-based violence, justice delayed, Holenarasipura abuse case, political power and abuse