SC Issues Notice On Karnataka SIT’s Plea To Cancel Bhavani Revanna’s Anticipatory Bail

The Supreme Court on Wednesday took a significant step in the ongoing controversy surrounding Bhavani Revanna, mother of suspended JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, by issuing a notice on a plea filed by the Karnataka Special Investigation Team (SIT).

The plea seeks the cancellation of Bhavani Revanna’s anticipatory bail, which was granted earlier in connection with a high-profile sex video scandal.

Insights:

A bench presided over by Justice Surya Kant agreed to examine the Special Leave Petition filed by the SIT, prompting the Court to seek a response from Bhavani Revanna herself.

Bhavani Revanna, who is the daughter-in-law of former Prime Minister Deve Gowda, faces allegations related to her alleged involvement in the abduction of a victim as described in a statement recorded under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the SIT, highlighted during the proceedings that the victim had implicated Bhavani Revanna in her statement to the police, accusing her of complicity in the abduction.

Emphasizing the sensitive nature of the case, the Supreme Court cautioned against politicizing the matter, noting that it involves the liberty of an individual, which the judicial process will determine regarding innocence or guilt.

Earlier, on 18 June, the Karnataka High Court had granted anticipatory bail to Bhavani Revanna in the kidnap case linked to the sex video scandal.

As a condition for bail, the High Court restricted her movement to exclude Mysuru and Hassan districts where the victim hails from Mysuru and Bhavani Revanna’s native district is Hassan.

The High Court had cited Bhavani Revanna’s cooperation with the police investigation, noting that she had answered numerous questions during the probe, which undermined arguments of non-cooperation.

Currently, Bhavani Revanna is cooperating with the SIT in its investigation into the alleged abduction involving her son Prajwal Revanna and husband JD(S) MLA HD Revanna, both accused of sexually assaulting a maid.

The Supreme Court’s notice marks a pivotal moment in the legal battle surrounding Bhavani Revanna, signaling continued scrutiny over the allegations and the judicial process ahead.

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