On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court granted anticipatory bail to Bhavani Revanna, mother of former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, who is accused of rape. The case in question pertains to allegations of kidnapping involving one of the victims of her son’s alleged sexual assaults.

The Court highlighted that Bhavani had already responded to 85 questions during the investigation, underscoring that it would be unjust to assert that she was uncooperative with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) tasked with probing the sexual abuse allegations against Prajwal.

Justice Krishna S Dixit, in granting Bhavani's anticipatory bail petition, noted that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) had sought her custody in relation to the alleged kidnapping of a house-help in K R Nagar, Mysuru district, following her failure to appear for questioning.

Justice Dixit also emphasized the need to avoid media trials and stressed the significance of refraining from unnecessary arrests of women, acknowledging their pivotal role within families.

The judge further underscored that the accusations of non-cooperation lacked credibility, pointing out that Bhavani had already furnished detailed responses during her interrogation. The Court rejected the SIT's claim that she had provided misleading information.

Earlier, on June 7, the court had initially granted interim anticipatory bail to Bhavani, imposing restrictions that barred her from entering Mysuru and Hassan districts. This interim relief was subsequently extended on June 14.

In addition to the existing conditions, on Tuesday the Court granted permission to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to transport Bhavani to Hassan and Mysuru districts for further investigation.

Bhavani is accused of attempting to obstruct a woman, who allegedly suffered sexual assault by Prajwal, from filing a complaint.

Currently, Prajwal is in SIT custody on charges of purportedly sexually abusing multiple women and recording the assaults on video.

The incidents of sexual abuse came to light after pen drives containing explicit videos purportedly involving Prajwal were reportedly circulated in Hassan, just before the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for April 26.

Prajwal was arrested by SIT officials immediately upon his arrival at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport from Germany on May 31. His departure to Germany had occurred on April 27, the day after the elections in Hassan. Previously, a 'Blue Corner Notice' had been issued by Interpol at the request of the SIT through the Central Bureau of Investigation, seeking information on his location.