Karnataka obscene video case: Committee recommends Prajwal Revanna's suspension from JD(S)
Bengaluru: The core committee of the Janata Dal (Secular) on Tuesday recommended the suspension of Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna who is facing an SIT probe in connection with an alleged obscene video case.
Addressing a joint press conference in Bengaluru, JD(S) core committee chairman GT Devegowda announced the decision to recommend Revanna's suspension to the party's national president.
Revanna is the grandson of party supremo and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda.
"We welcome SIT against Prajwal Revanna. We've decided to recommend our party's national president to suspend him from the party till the SIT investigation is completed. Once the SIT investigation is complete, further decisions will be taken," GT Devegowda said.
He also said that the party's agenda is to win 14 seats in the state together with BJP and criticised those linking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the case.
"Our agenda is to win 14 seats in the first and second phases and to bring PM Modi back in power. We will hold a meeting with our office bearers and BJP leaders. Why PM Modi's name has been tagged in this case? Prajwal Revanna will be suspended till the investigation of the SIT is completed. All senior leaders are camping in Hassan. Let the truth come out," he said.
While addressing the press conference, JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy said, "We have decided in core committee to suspend Prajwal Revanna, we stand with women of the state."
Prajwal Revanna was booked in an alleged sexual harassment case on April 28 following complaints by his former housekeeper. The case has been registered under sections 354A, 354D, 506, and 509 of the IPC on charges of sexual harassment, intimidation and outraging the dignity of a woman.
As per the complaint, the victim has claimed that both Prajwal Revanna and his father HD Revanna had sexually assaulted her. The complainant further claimed that when Revanna's wife was not at home, he touched her inappropriately and used to sexually assault her.
The Karnataka government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged obscene video case against MP Revanna. The SIT, headed by IPS officer Vijay Kumar Singh, and including DG CID Suman D Pennekar and IPS officer Seema Latkar have started the investigation into the case.
Revanna and his father HD Revanna, also a JD(S) MLA, were booked on Sunday by the police for sexual harassment and criminal intimidation based on a complaint from a woman, who worked in their household.
Kumaraswamy earlier in the day said that his party and the family are not responsible in any capacity for the actions undertaken by Revanna, his nephew and incumbent MP of Hassan.
Revanna is seeking a fresh term as NDA candidate in Hassan which went to the polls on April 26 in the second phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
Earlier today, Home Minister Amit Shah said, "BJP's stand is clear that we stand with the 'Matr Shakti' of the country. I want to ask Congress, whose government is there? The government is of Congress Party. Why they have not taken any action till now? We do not have to take action on this as this is a law and order issue of the state, state government has to take action on it...We are in favour of the investigation and our partner JD(S) has also announced to take action against it."
Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognizance in Prajwal Revanna case and has asked the Karnataka Director General of Police to submit a detailed report within three days on the issue.
