The Challenge of Holding Public Officials Accountable: Prajwal Revanna Case

Newsreel Asia Insight #211
May 4, 2024

Several accusations of sexual abuse have been levelled against Prajwal Revanna, a prominent member of the Janata Dal (Secular) and grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, in Karnataka. Reports from various sources describe a troubling pattern of alleged rape, voyeurism and privacy breaches, suggesting systemic patriarchal misconduct within political circles.

According to The News Minute, the detailed allegations against Prajwal Revanna stem from an FIR filed by the CID on May 1. The complainant, a former public official, claims that Revanna sexually harassed and raped her multiple times over a three-year period beginning Jan. 1, 2021. She details an encounter where Revanna allegedly coerced her into a compromising situation, filmed the incident and later used the video to threaten her. These encounters reportedly began under the guise of official meetings at MP quarters in Hassan, where she initially sought assistance for government hostel placements.

The allegations include threats with a firearm, forced disrobing captured on video and repeated assaults, leading to charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code related to sexual abuse and voyeurism, as well as the Information Technology Act for privacy violations.

Mint and Financial Express further reported that this case is not isolated, with additional FIRs suggesting a pattern of coercive abuse involving not just Prajwal Revanna but also his father, H.D. Revanna. The revelation has drawn the attention of national politicians, including Congress leader Priyank Kharge, who has called for central intervention to ensure justice is served. Kharge referred to the shocking discovery of over 2,800 videos that allegedly depict Revanna engaging in abusive acts.

The political response has been tumultuous. As reported by The Hindu, Prajwal Revanna’s abrupt departure to Germany using a diplomatic passport, without the necessary political clearances, has sparked outrage and prompted calls for his passport’s revocation, raising questions about accountability and the influence wielded by political families.

Local reactions in Holenarasipura, Prajwal’s hometown, have been marked by a palpable fear of speaking out against a powerful political dynasty, as locals worry about potential repercussions.

The efforts of an SIT, tasked with probing the extensive allegations, have been met with obstacles, including the non-compliance of the accused, who failed to appear before it, leading to the issuance of a lookout circular.

The incident reflects deeply entrenched patriarchal norms that often protect perpetrators of sexual violence, particularly in high-power political circles. It mirrors the scandal involving Dominique Strauss-Kahn in 2011, where the then-IMF chief was accused of sexual assault by a hotel maid in New York, highlighting how positions of power are often exploited to perpetrate and conceal sexual misconduct. Both cases point to a troubling reality where patriarchal power structures protect and perpetuate sexual violence, particularly in high-power environments.

The incident poses serious questions about the mechanisms in place to protect citizens from power abuses.

A solution could be establishment of “independent” oversight bodies with the power to investigate and hold public officials accountable. These bodies should be equipped with the necessary resources and authority to effectively oversee government actions and respond to allegations of misconduct.