Can't Change Law Just Because It Is Prajwal Revanna: Karnataka HC Orally Says In His Plea For Production Of Electronic Evidence In Rape Case

"Just because it is Prajwal Revanna law cannot be changed", said the Karnataka High Court orally on Thursday (January 16) while hearing the former JD (S) leader's plea, who is booked in a rape and sexual assault case, for production of documents and Electronic Evidence collected by prosecution from his driver's phone. The court said this after noting that he wanted the entire data from the device, adding that it can only allow inspection of images and not the data pertaining to the other women.It thereafter allowed Revanna's request for inspection and disposed of the plea.During the hearing Justice M Nagaprasanna orally said, "Copies will be given protecting the identity of the women". The State informed that in regard to the present case the copies had been given. Meanwhile Revanna's counsel said, "It is not dispute that the first FSL report is cited in the chargesheet. The phone in its entirety has been examined. Subsequently every IO has taken the phone and examined material related to their case". The State's counsel said that the petitioner wanted the "entire data". At this stage the high court orally said, "You want data concerning other women, I will not give that". To this the petitioner's counsel said that electronic records ought to be treated as evidence. The court however orally remarked that the prosecution is not relying on the entire documents.It said, "The crux of Section 207 (CrPC) is whatever prosecution relies on must be given to you. Cases involving privacy of victim etc court can provide only inspection. Whatever inspection you require i will permit but not provide copies in a pen drive". The state's counsel said that they had given the required details to him and that Revanna had moved the plea to "delay the trial". The court thus said, "If the data is related to this case, prosecution will give, you cannot ask for data of all other women. Everything is obscene here, there should be a limit to obscenity, who else could have take these images". The petitioner however said that ultimately it was the prosecution's case, and all opportunity is to be given to him, adding that in the mahazar (document containing details of search, seizure) there is no details of the data.The court however said, "Yes but I cannot permit giving data of other women to you. You are only on the Section 207 (CrPC) order. Don't enlarge the scope. You are trying to put the clock back. When you are asking something which is rejected limit the arguments to what has been rejected". The petitioner contended that "In the chargesheet they have filed this. Without giving me indicative what is in the correspondence. It will cause serious prejudice to me...I should be allowed to inspect the device also". The court however said, "We will only permit you to inspect the images". At this stage the state's counsel said, "Assuming he will not use this image then what is the harm caused to him if images is not provided?". It added, "No breach of privacy of other women should be done. Forget about others. The victims images are here there are obscene to the core. Just because it is Prajwala Revanna law cannot be changed". At this stage the petitioner asked for inspection to which the court said, "Permitted to inspect. Petition is disposed". (Compiled by Malavika Prasad)Case Title: Prajwal Revanna AND State Of KarnatakaCase No: CRL.P 206/2025Citation No: 2025 LiveLaw (Kar) 16

Can't Change Law Just Because It Is Prajwal Revanna: Karnataka HC Orally Says In His Plea For Production Of Electronic Evidence In Rape Case

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