Bangalore:
First accused in Karnataka obscene video scandal – former MP Prajwal Revanna, grandson of ex-PM HD Deve Gowda, was on Saturday granted permission by a special court to watch alleged videos of sexual assault involving the victim, in a closed court hearing.
The Special Court for MLAs/MPs granted permission to Prajwal Revanna, his counsel, a technical team and the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) to view the confidential videos retrieved from the personal mobile phone of the former MP's driver, who had worked closely with him. .
Mr Revanna was brought to court from the Central Jail, Parappana Agrahara, following the orders of the Supreme Court in this regard.
Mr Revanna's counsel has filed an application with the court to ban the media from publishing news about the case. However, the court refused, stating that it could not issue such an order.
The counsel further requested an extension for confidential review of the data, citing the absence of technical experts. The court expressed its displeasure, noting that such requests appeared to be delaying tactics.
“I have no objection if counsel files an application requesting a woman judge,” the court added.
Then, in closed court, Mr Revanna and the others reviewed the confidential private data, including the alleged sex videos retrieved from the driver's personal mobile phone. The driver had worked for Mr. Revanna.
Mr Revanna had earlier filed a petition in the High Court, seeking the production of documents and electronic evidence collected by investigators from his driver's personal mobile phone.
“Everything here is obscene, and there is a limit to obscenity. The court cannot provide data about other women. You are trying to turn back the clock,” the Supreme Court bench said.
The Karnataka High Court probing the sex video scandal on Thursday said the law cannot be bent just because the case relates to Prajwal Revanna.
The bench headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna made the statement while hearing Prajwal's petition seeking to quash the legal proceedings against him. Mr Revanna specifically requested access to all mobile phone data. However, the court clarified that only data relevant to the specific case could be accessed and that access to data on other women would not be allowed.
“The privacy of other women should not be invaded. Forget others. The images of the victims are here, they are obscene to the core. Just because it is Prajwal Revanna, the law cannot be changed,” the court had orally observed.
Prajwal Revanna's counsel submitted that the phone had been thoroughly examined by the investigators.
“Every investigating officer has examined the material. The electronic evidence and files must be treated as evidence. The Public Prosecution Service has objected to the demand to see the full data.”
However, the court stated that if the petitioner wants data about other women, it cannot be provided.
“In cases that concern the privacy of the victim, the court can only provide access. Any means of access can be offered, but you cannot get it in the form of a pen drive,” the court said.
The court further noted that except in the case where a petition has been filed, Mr. Revanna cannot ask for information about other women.
Counsel for the petitioner maintained that this would cause him serious harm and that he should be allowed to inspect the device.
The court further orally stated that copies will be provided to protect the identity of the women and dismissed Mr. Revanna's petition in this regard.
The prosecution has charged Prajwal Revanna under sections 354 (A) (sexual harassment), 354 (B) (assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to undress her), 354 (C) (act of viewing or arresting a woman). image of the woman while performing a private act), 376 (2) (N) (aggravated form of rape committed by police officers and other responsible officials, in which the same woman is repeatedly raped), 376 (2) (K) (the having control or dominance over a woman, committing rape), 506 (criminal intimidation), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the IPC and Section 66 (E) of the IT Act.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) that probed the sexual assault video case involving Prajwal Revanna has filed the 1,691-page charge sheet in the Special Court for MLAs/MPs.
The charge sheet stated that the victim was raped at gunpoint. The video was made of the rape incident and the victim was repeatedly sexually assaulted and threatened her with making her videos public.
It is also stated that the victim did not dare to file a complaint out of fear.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)