Kidnapping Case: Karnataka HC Reserves Verdict In Bhavani Revanna's Plea To Relax Travel Restriction Imposed In Anticipatory Bail Order

Opposing Bhavani Revanna's plea for relaxation of a travel restriction imposed while granting anticipatory bail in a case involving allegations of kidnapping of a woman, the State told the Karnataka High Court on Monday (March 10) that she was "mastermind behind the abduction" to prevent complaint against her son Prajwal Revanna. Bhavani Revanna is the mother of Janata Dal (S) leader Prajwal Revanna, who is accused of committing sexual offences against several women. She had moved the high court seeking relaxation of a condition imposed in the anticipatory bail order restraining her from entering her native districts of Mysuru and Hassan.After hearing the parties for around 2 hours, Justice Pradeep Singh Yerur reserved his verdict in the matter. Appearing for the petitioner (A-8) senior advocate Sandesh J Chouta submitted, "The condition has been imposed in ABA (anticipatory bail) order dated 18-06-2024. At the time when ABA was granted, kindly see the offence alleged it included 364A IPC. This order was challenged in SC and it came to be dismissed".Chouta said that there were five conditions granted in the anticipatory bail order. He thereafter said that chargesheet was filed and cognizance was taken August 17, 2024 wherein IPC Section 364A (kidnapping for ransom) charge was dropped which was not challenged. Kidnapping for ransom charge dropped, cases against Prajwal have nothing to do with BhavaniPointing to IPC Section 364A Chouta said that it is punishable with death or life imprisonment. He said that for rest of the offences for which cognizance, the punishment is less than 7 years. Chouta submitted that if petitioner is to leave the state she will have to take permission of the court. He said that the petitioner asked for temporary relief to visit a temple in Hassan which was allowed by the high court. Pointing to the conditions Chouta said, "There is no case of me breaching any of the conditions. Kindly notice para 2 of Statement of objections filed. It says 'petitioner has not approached with clean hands and (plea) be dismissed'. I have not suppressed anything. There are cases against my son (Prajwal) it has nothing to do with me. I am being confined to the house. A1 (HD Revanna) was also granted bail". The high court at this stage asked, "This was granted by the Special court", to which Chouta said yes. Chouta said that the condition which was imposed was to "surrender passport and not leave the state without taking permission from court". He said that Bhavani was restrained from "entering KR Nagar taluk, not a district".Chouta thereafter said, "The offences for which cognizance has now been taken punishment is upto seven years. The grounds I seek relaxation (for) is that chargesheet has been filed. Section 364A is not taken cognizance of. Petitioner has not misuse of any liberty for nine months". Chouta said that all other accused are permitted to travel in the state except for A1 who is restricted to a particular taluk. He said that Bhavani has family roots including "deity in Holeinarsipura". He said that her antecedents cannot be doubted and this offence will be tried by Magistrate court.To this the high court orally asked, "Why would this offence be tried by magistrate court?".Chouta said that it will be special court (magistrate) not sessions court and he had not yet touched on the merits of the case. Bhavani Revanna is 'mastermind' behind abduction to prevent complaint against PrajwalMeanwhile special public prosecutor (SPP) Prof Ravivarma Kumar appearing for the state submitted, "Petitioner's son one Mr Prajwal Revanna was MP representing Hassan Constituency. He happens to be grandson of Former Prime Minister. He approached in 2023 City Civil court and secured order of injunction preventing any kind of publication against him. Elections (Lok Sabha) scheduled on April 26, on April 21 pen drives were circulated in it offence of rape or attempt to rape were video graphed. The allegation was that MP himself had videographed it". Kumar said that after this, "at the instance of the petitioner the victim was abducted between 21-04 to 26-04, 2024. She comes from Mysore district which is home district of petitioner". He said that incidentally the petitioner's son fled from the country on April 26, 2024. He submitted that Prajwal was not an accused in the present case but he "repeatedly raped the victim and videographed" the alleged incident. "On 26-04 (2024) first allegation against MP was made and FIR lodged on 27-04. On April 28, nature of offence committed demanded constitution of SIT. The very next day the victim was abducted again and the manner and method in which abduction took place she did not now she was being abducted," the SPP said. At this stage the court orally asked, "Abducted by whom?". To this Kumar said, "By one of her (Bhavani) relatives at the instance of the petitioner. Thereafter she (victim) was produced before the petitioner by A-2. The petitioner confiscated mobile phone...

Kidnapping Case: Karnataka HC Reserves Verdict In Bhavani Revanna's Plea To Relax Travel Restriction Imposed In Anticipatory Bail Order

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