BENGALURU: JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda, who celebrated his 92nd birthday on Saturday, expressed his stance on the sexual abuse allegations against his grandson and MP Prajwal Revanna, stating that he would not oppose any punitive measures taken against him if the charges were substantiated.
However, regarding the sexual harassment and abduction charges against his son and JD(S) MLA H D Revanna, Gowda maintained that the cases were fabricated, but refrained from further commentary due to the ongoing legal proceedings.
Gowda had announced his decision not to celebrate his birthday and requested well wishers and party workers to wish him from wherever they are. “… I don’t want to comment on things that are going on in the court regarding Revanna. Prajwal Revanna has gone abroad, regarding that Kumaraswamy (Gowda’s other son and state JD(S) chief) has on behalf of our family said it is the duty of the government to take action in accordance with the law of the land,” Gowda said.
Addressing reporters here, the former PM said, “There are several people connected to this (sexual abuse cases), I don’t want to take anyone’s names. Kumaraswamy has said that those who are involved in this matter, action should be taken against all of them, and the affected women should get justice and compensation.”
“There is no objection from us for taking action against Prajwal. But people have come to know (facts) about the allegations made against Revanna, how the case has been created. In one case he has got the bail, in another case there is judgment day-after-tomorrow…I don’t want to comment on it,” he said as he concurred with Kumaraswamy’s statement that if found guilty no one should be spared.
Prajwal, aged 33, is currently facing allegations of sexually abusing multiple women, leading to a political uproar between the ruling Congress party and the BJP-JD(S) alliance. The scandal has sparked a heated exchange between the two political factions.
According to reports, Prajwal left the country on April 27, traveling to Germany, and remains at large. In an attempt to facilitate his return, an Interpol Blue Corner Notice has been issued against him.
Prajwal was the joint candidate of the BJP-JD(S) alliance, contesting from the Hassan Lok Sabha constituency, which held its polls on April 26. In a related development, Revanna, Gowda’s 66-year-old son and a former minister, has been granted interim anticipatory bail by a local court in connection with a sexual harassment case, in which his son Prajwal is also an accused.
Asked whether there was a conspiracy to defame and scuttle his family politically, Gowda said, “It is true… over all what all has happened, several people are involved, I won’t take names. Kumaraswamy will say on what action to be taken.”
Responding to a query on BJP leader and advocate G Devaraje Gowda’s allegations that deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar is behind the circulation of pen drive containing explicit videos involving Prajwal Revanna, Gowda said, Kumaraswamy will respond to all of this.
“We have seen in the media as to what Devaraje Gowda has said. Kumaraswamy has been reacting to all this actively as the party’s state President, he will speak, I won’t at this point. I had campaigned for Lok Sabha polls, on June 4 after Lok Sabha polls results are announced, I will meet you (media),” he added. Gowda also appealed to media persons campaign near his house to end it. “I also appeal to your owners.”
However, regarding the sexual harassment and abduction charges against his son and JD(S) MLA H D Revanna, Gowda maintained that the cases were fabricated, but refrained from further commentary due to the ongoing legal proceedings.
Gowda had announced his decision not to celebrate his birthday and requested well wishers and party workers to wish him from wherever they are. “… I don’t want to comment on things that are going on in the court regarding Revanna. Prajwal Revanna has gone abroad, regarding that Kumaraswamy (Gowda’s other son and state JD(S) chief) has on behalf of our family said it is the duty of the government to take action in accordance with the law of the land,” Gowda said.
Addressing reporters here, the former PM said, “There are several people connected to this (sexual abuse cases), I don’t want to take anyone’s names. Kumaraswamy has said that those who are involved in this matter, action should be taken against all of them, and the affected women should get justice and compensation.”
“There is no objection from us for taking action against Prajwal. But people have come to know (facts) about the allegations made against Revanna, how the case has been created. In one case he has got the bail, in another case there is judgment day-after-tomorrow…I don’t want to comment on it,” he said as he concurred with Kumaraswamy’s statement that if found guilty no one should be spared.
Prajwal, aged 33, is currently facing allegations of sexually abusing multiple women, leading to a political uproar between the ruling Congress party and the BJP-JD(S) alliance. The scandal has sparked a heated exchange between the two political factions.
According to reports, Prajwal left the country on April 27, traveling to Germany, and remains at large. In an attempt to facilitate his return, an Interpol Blue Corner Notice has been issued against him.
Prajwal was the joint candidate of the BJP-JD(S) alliance, contesting from the Hassan Lok Sabha constituency, which held its polls on April 26. In a related development, Revanna, Gowda’s 66-year-old son and a former minister, has been granted interim anticipatory bail by a local court in connection with a sexual harassment case, in which his son Prajwal is also an accused.
Asked whether there was a conspiracy to defame and scuttle his family politically, Gowda said, “It is true… over all what all has happened, several people are involved, I won’t take names. Kumaraswamy will say on what action to be taken.”
Responding to a query on BJP leader and advocate G Devaraje Gowda’s allegations that deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar is behind the circulation of pen drive containing explicit videos involving Prajwal Revanna, Gowda said, Kumaraswamy will respond to all of this.
“We have seen in the media as to what Devaraje Gowda has said. Kumaraswamy has been reacting to all this actively as the party’s state President, he will speak, I won’t at this point. I had campaigned for Lok Sabha polls, on June 4 after Lok Sabha polls results are announced, I will meet you (media),” he added. Gowda also appealed to media persons campaign near his house to end it. “I also appeal to your owners.”