New Delhi : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to ensure that "all parties responsible are brought to book" in connection with the alleged obscene video case involving Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna.
In the letter, Rahul Gandhi stated, "I am writing to you regarding the horrific sexual violence unleashed by the sitting Member of Parliament from Hassan. Prajwal Revanna sexually assaulted and filmed hundreds of women over several years.
Many who looked up to him as a brother and son were brutalized in the most violent manner and robbed of their dignity. The rape of our mothers and sisters warrants the strictest possible punishment."
He also acknowledged the ongoing probe by the SIT formed by the state government. "The Congress party has a moral duty to fight for justice for our mothers and sisters. I understand that the Karnataka government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the grave allegations and a request has been made to the Prime Minister to cancel Prajwal Revanna's diplomatic passport and get him extradited to India at the earliest," Gandhi stated in his letter.
"I request you to kindly extend all possible support to the victims. They deserve our compassion and solidarity as they fight their battle for justice. We have a collective duty to ensure that all parties responsible for these heinous crimes are brought to book," the letter mentioned.
He also expressed his "shock" that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was aware of the allegations back in December last year.
"I am deeply shocked to learn that as far back as December 2023, our Home Amit Shah was informed by G Devaraje Gowda about Prajwal Revanna's antecedents, especially his history of sexual violence and the presence of videos filmed by the perpetrator.
What is even more shocking is that despite these gruesome allegations being brought to the notice of the senior-most BJP leadership, the Prime Minister campaigned and canvassed for a mass rapist," the Congress leader said.
"Furthermore, the union government wilfully allowed him to flee India to derail any meaningful investigation. The deeply perverse nature of these crimes and the absolute impunity enjoyed by Prajwal Revanna with the blessings of the Prime Minister and Home Minister deserves the strongest condemnation," he added.
He also highlighted the ethnic violence that hit Manipur last year where many women allegedly faced sexual abuse and the alleged sexual harassment against women wrestlers.
"In my two decades in public life, I have never come across a senior public representative who has constantly chosen silence in the face of untold violence against women. From our wrestlers in Haryana to our sisters in Manipur, Indian women are bearing the brunt of the Prime Minister's tacit support for such criminals," the letter stated.
HD Revanna and his son, Prajwal Revanna, who is the sitting MP and candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha constituency, are facing a probe by a Special Investigative Team (SIT), constituted by the Karnataka government, over allegations of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation following a complaint by a woman who worked in their household.
Revanna was booked in an alleged sexual harassment case on April 28 based on a complaint lodged with Holenarasipura Town police. The case was 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 claimed that Prajwal Revanna and his father, HD Revanna, had sexually assaulted her.
Amid the ongoing investigation into the alleged 'obscene video' case, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said on Saturday that a second lookout notice has been issued against both JD(S) MLA HD Revanna and his son, Prajwal Revanna.
The first lookout notice was issued against HD Revanna and his son Prajwal Revanna after they sought time to appear before the investigation team.
HD Revanna has been booked on a charge of kidnapping in connection with the 'obscene video' case. The action was taken based on a complaint lodged by the son of a woman who was allegedly "abducted and sexually abused."
Earlier this week, the Ministry of External Affairs said that Prajwal Revanna had travelled to Germany on a diplomatic passport and that no political clearance was either sought from or issued by the MEA regarding his travel. Addressing a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the Ministry did not issue any visa note for Prajwal to visit any other country.
CM Siddaramaiah had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the Union government to cancel the diplomatic passport of Prajwal and ensure his return by making use of diplomatic and police channels.