A court in the South of India has sentenced a prominent politician in Karnataka state to life imprisonment following his conviction for the rape of a domestic worker.
Prajwal Revanna, hailing from an influential political family in the state, received the sentence on Saturday, a day after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a former employee.
Allegations against the 34-year-old former Indian MP surfaced in 2023 when explicit videos purportedly featuring him circulated widely on social media, sparking widespread outrage across the country.
Revanna had denied the charges. Reports indicate that he pleaded for leniency upon being found guilty on Friday.
He retains the right to appeal the sentence.
Revanna is the grandson of former Indian Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda, whose Janata Dal (Secular) party is allied with the BJP of current Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The conviction and sentencing of an individual from such a prominent political background is considered a notable event in India.
Revanna reportedly left India in April 2024, utilizing a diplomatic passport, after the emergence of videos alleging abuse.
While Revanna did not initially comment on the videos, an official from his office suggested they had been doctored.
He was subsequently arrested a month later upon returning from Germany.
Revanna is also facing two additional rape cases and one case of sexual harassment, all of which he denies.
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