Serious allegations of rape omitted from FIR against Prajwal Revanna: Social Activists
Hassan: A group of social activists from Karnataka have written to the DGP of Karnataka Police alleging serious lapses in the investigation on the part of the police. The letter states that the FIR filed against Prajwal Revanna at the Holenarasipura Police Station has revealed glaring omissions, potentially weakening the case against the accused.
The letter mentions that the complaint, lodged by a 47-year-old woman, alleges sexual assault and harassment by Prajwal Revanna, son of former minister HD Revanna and current MP. Despite the serious nature of the allegations, the FIR registered under crime number 107/2024 failed to include sections related to rape, raising concerns about the thoroughness of the investigation.
The victim's complaint detailed harrowing incidents of abuse during her employment at HD Revanna's residence, where Prajwal Revanna allegedly subjected her to repeated sexual assaults and harassment. Shockingly, the FIR only listed sections 354a, 354d, 506, and 509 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), neglecting to include charges of rape despite compelling evidence provided by the complainant.
Further examination of the evidence, including videos purportedly showing instances of sexual assault, suggests a disturbing pattern of behavior by the accused. While some videos depict consensual activity, others reportedly show acts performed against the women's will, indicating potential instances of rape. However, the absence of corresponding charges in the FIR raises questions about the integrity of the investigation process.
Moreover, the complaint alleges that Prajwal Revanna not only targeted the complainant but also subjected her daughter to sexual harassment. Despite these serious allegations, the FIR only mentions one victim, overlooking the plight of both women affected by the alleged abuse.
Concerns have been raised about possible undue influence exerted by Prajwal Revanna and his family, known for their political clout in the state. This influence may have influenced the police to register a weaker FIR and omit rape charges to shield the accused from accountability.
In response to these grave discrepancies, demands have been made to rectify the shortcomings in the investigation process. These include the presence of a women counselor during victim statements, suspension of the Holenarasipur Police Circle Inspector responsible for the FIR, provision of security to the victims, and a thorough investigation into all allegations of sexual harassment.
Prominent figures and organizations, including Meenakshi Bali, President of Janavadi Mahila Sangathan, and Sabiha Bhumi Gowda, representing the Women's Anti-Violence Association, have stressed on the urgency of addressing these concerns to ensure justice for the victims and accountability for the accused.
Demands mentioned in the letters and coloumn
1. There should be a women counselor while the complainant is recording the statement of the victimized women
2. The Inspector of Holenarasipur who lodged an FIR under weak sections despite clear signs of rape should be suspended.
3. The complainant should provide security to the women victims.
4. The police should find the women in the video and file a statement.
5. A restatement of the woman who has already lodged a complaint should be taken.
6. In FIR 107/2024 action should be taken against the police who have not put in the column of victims even though there are two victims.
7. Additional points and sections should be added and strengthened to the FIR already registered.
8. Policemen who are closely connected with the accused family should be transferred
9. All officers posted on the recommendation letter of any family member of the accused should be transferred from Hassan
10. As this is a heinous case of sexually harassing hundreds of women using his influence as a weapon, it must be ensured that this case is investigated impartially and fearlessly.
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Israel launches first airstrike on Lebanon since ceasefire, accusing Hezbollah of breaching truce
Beirut, Nov 28: The Israeli military on Thursday said its warplanes fired on southern Lebanon after detecting Hezbollah activity at a rocket storage facility, the first Israeli airstrike a day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took hold.
There was no immediate word on casualties from Israel's aerial attack, which came hours after the Israeli military said it fired on people trying to return to certain areas in southern Lebanon. Israel said they were violating the ceasefire agreement, without providing details. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said two people were wounded.
The back-to-back incidents stirred unease about the agreement, brokered by the United States and France, which includes an initial two-month ceasefire in which Hezbollah members are to withdraw north of the Litani River and Israeli forces are to return to their side of the border. The buffer zone would be patrolled by Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers.
On Thursday, the second day of a ceasefire after more than a year of bloody conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Lebanon's state news agency reported that Israeli fire targeted civilians in Markaba, close to the border, without providing further details. Israel said it fired artillery in three other locations near the border. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
An Associated Press reporter in northern Israel near the border heard Israeli drones buzzing overhead and the sound of artillery strikes from the Lebanese side.
The Israeli military said in a statement that “several suspects were identified arriving with vehicles to a number of areas in southern Lebanon, breaching the conditions of the ceasefire.” It said troops “opened fire toward them” and would “actively enforce violations of the ceasefire agreement.”
Israeli officials have said forces will be withdrawn gradually as it ensures that the agreement is being enforced. Israel has warned people not to return to areas where troops are deployed, and says it reserves the right to strike Hezbollah if it violates the terms of the truce.
A Lebanese military official said Lebanese troops would gradually deploy in the south as Israeli troops withdraw. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief media.
The ceasefire agreement announced late Tuesday ended 14 months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah that began a day after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 attack out of Gaza, when the Lebanese Hezbollah group began firing rockets, drones and missiles in solidarity.
Israel retaliated with airstrikes, and the conflict steadily intensified for nearly a year before boiling over into all-out war in mid-September. The war in Gaza is still raging with no end in sight.
More than 3,760 people were killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon during the conflict, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The fighting killed more than 70 people in Israel — over half of them civilians — as well as dozens of Israeli soldiers fighting in southern Lebanon.
Some 1.2 million people were displaced in Lebanon, and thousands began streaming back to their homes on Wednesday despite warnings from the Lebanese military and the Israeli army to stay out of certain areas. Some 50,000 people were displaced on the Israeli side, but few have returned and the communities near the northern border are still largely deserted.
In Menara, an Israeli community on the border with views into Lebanon, around three quarters of homes are damaged, some with collapsed roofs and burnt-out interiors. A few residents could be seen gathering their belongings on Thursday before leaving again.
