Hassan kidnap case: SIT launches search as Bhavani Revanna goes into hiding
Two lawyers met SIT officials on Saturday and apparently told them on behalf of Bhavani that she was unwell and would appear before the SIT shortly
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the sexual assault case involving JD(S)’s Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna has reportedly conducted searches in various locations in the past 24 hours looking for his mother Bhavani Revanna in connection with the alleged kidnapping of a woman.
Bhavani is reportedly not present at her residence at Holenarasipura in Hassan district, sources said on Sunday (June 2). Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said a search is on to “arrest” Bhavani, who is “absconding”. He added that she is hiding somewhere and will be arrested soon.
“They (SIT) are searching for her (Bhavani) to arrest her. It’s not known where she is. She will be arrested once she is found. It is a due process of law and nothing else,” Parameshwara told reporters in Bengaluru.
Notice to Bhavani
The SIT had issued a notice to Bhavani asking her to be present at her home on June 1, as they intended to question her in a kidnapping case linked to allegations of sexual abuse against her son. When a team of SIT sleuths reached Bhavani’s house, Chennambika Nilaya, she was not present.
Two female lawyers reached Chennambika Nilaya on Saturday evening and met the SIT officials. They did not disclose the purpose behind the meeting. Bhavani apparently communicated through her lawyers that she was unwell and would appear before them (SIT) shortly.
Searches by SIT
On Sunday, the SIT carried out searches at various locations, including Mysuru, Hassan, Bengaluru, Mandya, and Ramanagara. Searches were also done at Bhavani’s relatives’ houses to track her, but she was not found, sources said.
Sources said the SIT has formed various teams to look for Bhavani.
Bhavani’s husband and Holenarasipura JD(S) MLA HD Revanna, who is former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda’s son, is out on bail in the same case.
Case history
Prajwal was arrested on Friday (May 31) over allegations of sexually abusing several women. He had fled to Germany soon after scores of explicit videos of his alleged sexual assaults poured out on April 21.
The Karnataka government formed the SIT on the recommendation of the Karnataka State Commission for Women chairperson Nagalakshmi Chowdhary, who wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to investigate the matter.
Prajwal, who is seeking a re-election from Hassan as an NDA candidate, returned from Germany on Friday and was immediately arrested by the SIT at the Bengaluru airport. A special court in the city remanded him in police custody till June 6.
(With agency inputs)