Prajwal Revanna, facing allegations of rape, has been remanded to six days of custody under the supervision of the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Prajwal Revanna has been placed in police custody until June 6 in connection with the Karnataka sex scandal.

Prajwal Revanna has been placed in six-day custody under the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the obscene video case. The SIT had requested 14 days of custody for the suspended JD(S) MP. Prajwal was arrested late last night at Bengaluru airport upon his arrival in India to cooperate with the SIT investigation, ending a month-long period of being unreachable amidst mounting allegations against him and his father, which sparked a significant political controversy. During this month, he was suspended from the party, his father was arrested and subsequently released on bail, and his grandfather, former PM HD Deve Gowda, appealed to him to return to India and participate in the investigation.

The Ministry of External Affairs has begun the process of revoking Prajwal Revanna’s diplomatic passport, which he used to travel to Germany just a day before the allegations against him came to light. Prajwal faces accusations of sexually assaulting multiple women and recording the incidents.

During his police custody, Prajwal will be permitted to meet his lawyers for one hour in the morning. The 33-year-old had contested and won the Lok Sabha election from Hassan in 2019.

Prajwal’s advocate emphasized that he is fully cooperating with the SIT probe and urged against any media trial in the case. Parameshwara stated, “Prajwal Revanna arrived around 12:40-12:50 am from Germany’s Munich. Since there was an arrest warrant against him, the SIT arrested him accordingly and took him into custody, following legal procedures that will continue today.” Speaking to reporters, he further explained, “Naturally, he should have cooperated with the arrest. His immigration papers were cleared, and he was allowed to exit the airport. Because he had a diplomatic passport, the process proceeded smoothly. After completing all necessary procedures, he was arrested.” When asked if the government would encourage more victims to come forward following Prajwal’s arrest, Parameshwara replied, “We have already encouraged those who have faced issues involving him to come forward and file complaints with the SIT and police. We assure them of all kinds of protection. We will need to observe further developments.”

In a significant move to convey a message, the SIT deployed an all-woman police team to execute the warrant against Prajwal. As soon as he disembarked from the plane from Munich, he was greeted by female officers in uniform, according to sources within the SIT. Throughout the process of executing the arrest warrant, Prajwal was surrounded by women police personnel, under the leadership of two IPS officers, Suman D Pennekar and Seema Latkar. He was then transported in a vehicle solely occupied by women police to the CID office.

A source within the SIT stated, “It was a deliberate decision to send women officers to arrest Prajwal, sending a strong message that the JD(S) leader allegedly misused his position and authority as an MP in his interactions with women. These same women officers now hold the authority to carry out his arrest and oversee all legal proceedings.” Additionally, the source mentioned, “There was also a symbolic message intended for the alleged victims that women officers are not intimidated by anyone.”

The MP was subsequently taken for a medical examination under tight security. Accompanied by female police officials, he was brought to Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital. The SIT is also considering conducting a potency test on Prajwal. Potency tests are conducted to determine if a rape accused is capable of committing sexual assault on victims.

Meanwhile, Prajwal’s advocate, Arun G, met with him. “I went to speak to him. He has stated to the media that he is willing to cooperate with the investigation. Therefore, he has requested that there be no media trial and no unnecessary negative campaigns,” Arun said. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he stated, “Prajwal, the MP from Hassan, is cooperating fully with the SIT. He said, ‘I have come forward, the entire purpose of my coming to Bengaluru and facing the SIT is to stand by my words. I have stepped forward. I will offer my fullest cooperation.’ These are his words.” The advocate also mentioned that he had briefed Prajwal about the court procedures.

On May 29, Prajwal had filed an anticipatory bail plea at the Principal City and Sessions Court for Elected Representatives, which issued a notice to the SIT to file objections before scheduling the hearing for Friday. In the first case registered against him at the Holenarasipura Town police station in Hassan on April 28, Prajwal is accused of sexually harassing a 47-year-old former maid. He is listed as accused number two, while his father and Holenarasipura MLA, H D Revanna, is accused number one. Prajwal has been implicated in three cases of sexual assault thus far, including charges of rape against him.