Bengaluru: The political arena in Karnataka is witnessing a flurry of accusations and counterclaims following the emergence of alleged sleaze videos involving JDS MP Prajwal Revanna. The latest twist in the saga involves claims made by Karthik, Revanna's former driver, contradicting assertions made by Karnataka BJP leader Devaraje Gowda.
In a video released on Tuesday, Karthik refuted Devaraje Gowda's statement that he had provided the pen drive containing the controversial videos to Congress leaders. Instead, Karthik asserted that he had solely shared the material with him, seeking assistance after purported harassment from the Revanna family.
"I cannot confirm whether Devaraje Gowda distributed the pen drive, passed it on to someone else, or if BJP members were involved. However, I can affirm that I shared the pen drive exclusively with him. It's perplexing that he now accuses me of involving Congress leaders. If that were my intention, why would I seek justice from him?" Karthik asserted in the video.
Karthik further pledged to provide all pertinent documents related to the case to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) established by the Karnataka government to investigate the matter.
The controversy surrounding the alleged videos has added a significant political dimension, given Prajwal's lineage as the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and the son of Holenarasipur MLA and former minister HD Revanna. The emergence of sex video clips purportedly involving Prajwal just before the parliamentary election in Karnataka has intensified the political landscape in the region.
Devaraje Gowda, on the other hand, had previously informed reporters that Karthik had conveyed to him that he had shared the pen drive with Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and other Congress leaders.
In response to Devaraje Gowda's claims, Karthik rebutted, "Despite my efforts to reach out to him, Devaraje Gowda held press conferences yesterday and the day before, reigniting the controversy. His accusations against me are unfounded. I reiterate that I entrusted the pen drive solely to him, a BJP candidate who contested and lost elections in Holenarasipur. There's no reason for me to involve Congress leaders in this matter." Karthik emphasised in his statement.
Prajwal found himself embroiled in controversy when sex video clips purportedly involving him surfaced on social media. These videos emerged just three days before Hassan went to the polls on April 26, marking the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
An FIR lodged against both HD Revanna and Prajwal by a woman who worked at their residence, alleging multiple instances of sexual abuse spanning from 2019 to 2022. The complaint painted a troubling picture of a pattern of sexual harassment against female workers in their homes.
Consequently, the police have registered a case under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 509 (outraging modesty of a woman).
