Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has taken decisive action in response to the scandal surrounding JDS MP Prajwal Revanna, announcing the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the disturbing allegations.
"The government has decided to form a special investigation team in connection with Prajwal Revanna's obscene video case. Obscene video clips are circulating in Hassan district, where it appears that women have been sexually assaulted.
"In this background, the Chairperson of the Women's Commission had written a letter to the government to conduct an SIT investigation. This decision has been taken in response to their request," he said in an official statement posted on X.
The move comes amid mounting concerns over the circulation of obscene video clips purportedly depicting incidents of sexual assault in the Hassan district.
Dr Nagalakshmi Chaudhary, Chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Women, requested the probe in her letter to Siddaramaiah and state police chief Alok Mohan dated April 25. The women's panel urgently sought a thorough investigation into the viral sex videos in Hassan.
Before this development, a petition had been filed at the Karnataka State Commission for Women, raising the gravity of the situation and the public outcry for justice.
Amid the unfolding scandal, Prajwal Revanna, through his election agent, filed a complaint alleging the dissemination of manipulated videos aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
MG Poornachandra Tejaswi, representing both the JDS and the BJP, lodged a formal complaint alleging that individuals, including Naveen Gowda, were involved in circulating morphed videos and images with the intent to defame the JDS MP.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar demanded answers from key figures within the BJP and JDS amid mounting concerns. Shivakumar during his address on Sunday here, directed his attention to JDS state president HD Kumaraswamy, insinuating knowledge of the scandal.
He urged a response not only from Kumaraswamy but also from a cadre of influential personalities, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP state president Vijayendra Yediyurappa, and Union Minister of State for Agriculture Shobha Karandlaje, among others.
"Kumaranna is no stranger to the contents of that pen drive. He displayed it before, tucked away in his pocket. I wasn't privy to its contents then, but now, it leaves me wondering. Kumaraswamy ought to answer for this," he said.
Amidst allegations and finger-pointing, Shivakumar emphasised the crucial role of media scrutiny, calling for transparency and accountability in light of the disturbing revelations. He issued a stern warning to Kumaraswamy, cautioning against further entanglement in the controversy.
"The media's narrative doesn't align with the truth. This isn't just about any leader; it concerns the NDA MP representing the Hassan Lok Sabha constituency," Shivakumar said.
