Revanna, 34, refuted the allegations, maintaining his innocence throughout the proceedings. After being convicted, he was visibly emotional and requested a lighter sentence, but the court upheld its ruling. He is eligible to appeal the decision. Notably, Revanna is the grandson of H. D. Deve Gowda, a former Prime Minister of India and current leader of the Janata Dal (Secular) party—an ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Such severe legal repercussions for someone with Revanna's political lineage are rare in India.
Following the surfacing of the explicit videos, Revanna left the country using his diplomatic passport in April 2024. Although he refrained from addressing the allegations directly, his office claimed the videos were manipulated. His return to India a month later led to immediate arrest, and he now faces additional charges involving two other rape cases and a separate case of sexual harassment, all of which he continues to deny.
Following the surfacing of the explicit videos, Revanna left the country using his diplomatic passport in April 2024. Although he refrained from addressing the allegations directly, his office claimed the videos were manipulated. His return to India a month later led to immediate arrest, and he now faces additional charges involving two other rape cases and a separate case of sexual harassment, all of which he continues to deny.
