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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Kangana Ranaut shown black flags in Himachal's Lahaul and Spiti, BJP files complaint with CEO
Shimla, May 20: Actor Kangana Ranaut, BJP candidate from the Mandi parliamentary constituency, was shown black flags by local people and Congress workers at Kaza in Lahaul and Spiti on Monday.
The Himachal Pradesh BJP filed a complaint with the state chief electoral officer (CEO) demanding transfer of election officials and an investigation into the incident as both the BJP and the Congress were given permission to hold rallies adjacent to each other.
The Congress workers raised anti-Kangana slogans - "Kangana, go back, Kangana Vangana nahi chalegi". They were apparently enraged over her remarks on Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama in April last year.
Ranaut had tweeted a meme featuring the Dalai Lama that said, "The Dalai Lama receives a warm welcome at the White house". The photoshopped picture in the tweet showed the Dalai Lama sticking his tongue out with US President Joe Biden with a comment - Both of them have the same illness, definitely they could be friends.
Following this, a group of Buddhists staged a dharna outside her office in Mumbai.
Later she apologised saying she didn't mean to hurt anyone, and it was a harmless joke about Biden being friends with the Dalai Lama.
Leader of the Opposition in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly Jai Ram Thakur, who had accompanied Ranaut to Kaza to campaign for the BJP, on Monday alleged that the Congress workers tried to disturb the meeting of the BJP and pelted stones on their carcade while they were returning.
Talking to reporters, he said, "It is unfortunate that for the first time, permission was given to hold a parallel rally at the venue to the Congress where prior permission was already granted to the BJP to hold the rally.
Efforts were made to disturb our rally and the Congress workers raised shameful slogans, stopped our carcade and pelted stones, injuring one person."
Thakur added that they go for campaigning all over the state but such things have happened for the first time, which shows "frustration" of the Congress and they would take up the issue with the Election Commission.
Later, in a complaint filed with the Himachal Pradesh CEO, BJP state office secretary Parmod Kumar Thakur said the Congress workers allegedly tried to illegally restrain the political procession and even pelted stones and demanded an investigation into the incident.
"The district administration granted permission for organising a political meeting to the Congress adjacent to the place already scheduled to hold a political meeting of the BJP at Kaza under undue influence of the state government in utter violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC)", he said.
In the complaint, the BJP demanded the immediate transfer of election officials from Lahaul and Spiti and said giving permission to both the parties at the same location at the same time was a "big lapse" on the part of the Election Commission "in spite of the fact that permission to the BJP was provided first and the officers involved in this act are biased against the BJP, and free and fair elections are doubtful under the circumstances."
Lahaul and Spiti SP Mayank Chowdhary told PTI that workers of both the BJP and the ruling Congress came face to face but there was no clash and no person was injured. However, one worker sprained his leg, he added.
Bhishan Shashni, Congress election coordinator for Lahaul and Spiti claimed that the Congress workers were peacefully protesting but a large number of people, who were hurt by Ranaut's remarks about the Tibetan spiritual leader, joined the protest.
Earlier, Congress candidate from the Mandi Lok Sabha seat Vikramaditya Singh had asked why Ranaut did not visit Spiti and returned from Reckong Peo alleging that she was afraid she would be shown black flags for her remarks against the Dalai Lama.
