Prajwal Revanna life sentence: Got justice but we live still in fear, says kin of victim
Bengaluru: While former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the sexual assault of a woman, the victim and her family continue to live in fear and trauma, still reeling from the emotional and psychological toll of the ordeal.
The victim’s son-in-law spoke out about the ongoing challenges, recalling how, despite the victim’s brave testimony and the eventual conviction, the family’s hope for justice had been overshadowed by the pressure from Revanna’s influential family. “After the traumatic cross-examinations, despite assurances from police, we didn’t have much hope that justice would be served due to the influence Prajwal Revanna’s family wields. We got justice, but the trauma and fear will continue to haunt us,” The Indian Express quoted him as saying.
Prajwal Revanna, the grandson of former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda and son of H.D. Revanna, a former Karnataka minister, was sentenced to life imprisonment for one of four rape and sexual harassment cases filed against him in 2024.
The victim, a former domestic worker at a farmhouse owned by Prajwal’s family, had endured intense cross-examinations during the trial. According to her son-in-law, she broke down multiple times under questioning but remained resolute in her testimony. "She stood strong and gave her statement in court," he said.
The investigation team’s chief, BK Singh, also praised the victim’s courage, stating, “The survivor stood like a rock. The defence tried every possible way to derail the court proceedings, but she stood strong and even when she was cross-examined for eight hours.”
Due to a lack of support in her village, the victim, who is now living in Bengaluru, has been forced to rebuild her life far from home. An SIT official assisted her in finding work in the city. However, the family’s safety remains a major concern, with the son-in-law revealing that they still live in constant fear. “Even to this day we live in fear. After the judgment was announced, one SIT officer called me and said to not reveal my whereabouts with anyone. For over a year, we have followed what SIT police told us to do and we will continue to do so,” TIE quoted him as saying said.
The victim has not been able to return to her village, located in Mysuru district, for long. She visited once over the past year, but her stay was brief, and she continues to feel ostracized. “We felt outcast in the village. There were also a lot of rumours that were being spread,” he added.
Despite the hardships, the victim’s kin expressed gratitude for the SIT’s support, noting that without the SIT's protection, their lives could have taken a far more tragic course, especially given Prajwal Revanna’s influence in the regions of Hassan and Mysuru.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Power tariffs under BESCOM to rise from May 1
Bengaluru (PTI): Power bills for consumers under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) will go up from May 1, following an order issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Friday.
The hike comes after KERC allowed the BESCOM to recover a revenue deficit of Rs 2,068 crore incurred in 2024-25, from the consumers.
As a result, for every unit of electricity consumed in 2024-25, the customers will be charged an additional 56 paise, it said.
"BESCOM shall calculate, for each of the active consumers of FY2024-25 the amount to be recovered based on their actual energy consumption during FY2024-25. Such amount shall be recovered during FY 2026-27 in equal monthly instalments, to be called as 'FY25 True up Charges', commencing from the first meter reading date falling on or after 1 May 2026 and concluding with the reading date ending on 30 April 2027," the order said.
"It is further ordered that BESCOM shall maintain a separate head of account, allocated for the purpose, to record the adjustment of the said amount to ensure full recovery of the deficit," it added.
Similarly Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) has also recorded a revenue deficit of Rs 121.71 crore and can collect an additional 15 paisa per unit for consumption in 2024-25, official sources said.
