A special court in Bengaluru has instructed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate alleged threats made against a prosecution witness in the high-profile sexual assault case involving former Hassan Member of Parliament (MP) Prajwal Revanna. The directive for this investigation was issued by Sessions Court Judge Shivaprasad KB on August 20, following claims made by a 43-year-old social worker, identified as a key prosecution witness (PW-4), who reported receiving threatening phone calls.
The witness, who provided her testimony on July 6, 2026, alleged during her cross-examination that she had been threatened post her examination-in-chief. She expressed fears for her safety and that of her son, attributing potential harm to the accused, Prajwal Revanna. In response to these serious allegations, the special court has ordered the SIT to conduct a thorough investigation, ensure the witness’s protection, and submit their findings by the next hearing, scheduled for September 2, 2026.
In a formal communication to the Chief of the SIT, Additional Director General of Police (AGDP), the court emphasized the need for immediate action to safeguard the witness and uphold the integrity of the judicial process. The allegations underscore the ongoing challenges faced in high-profile legal proceedings, particularly in ensuring witness safety.
Prajwal Revanna, who served as a Member of Parliament representing Hassan from 2019 to 2024, is the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda. He was apprehended in May 2024 in connection with multiple sexual assault cases and was subsequently convicted in one such case, receiving a life sentence in August 2025. He is currently incarcerated at Parappana Agrahara prison.
The specific case in question involves accusations of sexual assault against a housemaid, initially reported on April 28, 2024, at the Holenarasipura Town Police Station. The charges against Prajwal Revanna include violations under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), namely Sections 376, 376(2)(k), 354, 354A, 354B, 354D, 506, 509, and 201, alongside Section 66E of the Information Technology Act.
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The SIT, which has listed over 100 witnesses for this trial, is currently presenting its prosecution evidence with the social worker being the fourth witness to testify. The prosecution’s case is being led by Special Public Prosecutor Ashok Naik.
In a related development, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) recently seized a mobile phone, charger, pen drive, and scribbling pad from Prajwal Revanna’s cell within the high-security confines of Parappana Agrahara prison, raising further concerns about potential security breaches.
