Lookout Circular Issued Against Prajwal Revanna amid Sexual Harassment Allegations

The Karnataka government's Special Investigation Team (SIT) has issued a lookout circular against Prajwal Revanna, the Hassan MP who is accused of sexual harassment by multiple women. Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, is believed to be in Germany and will face detention upon arrival at any immigration point in India, including airports, seaports, or border check posts. Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara confirmed the issuance of the lookout notice, stating, "A lookout notice has been issued soon after it was learnt that Prajwal Revanna has gone abroad. We have informed all the ports and airports about the lookout notice."

The accusations against Revanna have sparked a political storm, with Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara indicating that Revanna must appear before the SIT probing the matter at the earliest or face possible arrest. The SIT had previously rejected Revanna's request for seven days' time to appear before investigators. The allegations against Revanna, aged 33, include sexual harassment and the circulation of explicit visuals allegedly involving him.

The Karnataka government formed the SIT under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on April 28 to investigate the allegations against Revanna. An FIR was filed against him on the same day following complaints from several women. Reports suggest that Revanna, a Lok Sabha NDA candidate, left the country on April 27, possibly to evade arrest, and is traveling abroad on his diplomatic passport.

In his first public comments since the formation of the SIT, Prajwal Revanna requested a week to return to Bengaluru to join investigations. However, his request for additional time was rejected, with Home Minister Parameshwara stating that there is no provision to grant more than 24 hours for appearance before the SIT. Revanna's lawyer, Arun G, argued for more time to address the various dimensions of the case, asserting that Revanna has stated the videos are morphed.

Prajwal Revanna faces charges of sexual harassment, intimidation, and outraging the dignity of a woman, as per sections 354A, 354D, 506, and 509 of the IPC. One of the victims, a former housekeeper, has accused Revanna and his father, HD Revanna, of sexual assault. In response to the allegations, the JD(S), a BJP alliance partner in Karnataka, suspended Prajwal Revanna, citing damage to the party's reputation due to circulating videos of the Hassan MP.