The Karnataka High Court refused to suspend the life sentence of Former MP Prajwal Revanna in a rape case registered at Holenarasipura Rural Police Station, Hassan District. The bench of Justice K S Mudagal and Justice Venkatesh Naik noted that the gravity of the offences and ongoing related cases made this an unsuitable instance for bail, warning that premature release could affect witnesses and judicial proceedings.
Revanna was convicted for sexually assaulting a domestic worker during the lockdown, with additional charges including harassment, intimidation, and tampering with evidence. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in August 2025 and has filed an appeal against the conviction.
Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra argued that the prosecution’s case was weak, evidence was flawed, and the conviction stemmed from political vendetta. He sought suspension of the sentence to present mitigating circumstances. Special Public Prosecutor Prof. Ravivarma Kumar emphasized the heinous nature of the offences, the risk of influencing witnesses in other pending cases, and the appellant’s obstruction of investigations.
The High Court held that bail under Section 389 CrPC cannot be granted based on merits at this stage. It stated, "The Court cannot identify loopholes or disputes in evidence at this stage; these will be examined during the final appeal. Any observations here do not reflect the final opinion on the appeal."
The Court denied suspension of Revanna’s life sentence and posted the appeal for final hearing on January 12, 2026.
Picture Source :
