The Karnataka High Court declined to stay the investigation against former Hassan BJP MLA Preetham Gowda, who is accused of distributing explicit videos of sexual assault allegedly involving former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna.
The Karnataka BJP MLA had filed a petition seeking to quash the FIR lodged against him under Section 67, 66E of the Information Technology Act, and Sections 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking), 354B (assault or use of criminal force to a woman with intent to disrobe), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
A single judge bench of Justice Krishna S Dixit issued the interim order while also notifying the respondents.
The court, however, ruled that Preetham Gowda should not be arrested or detained, provided he cooperates with the investigation. Additionally, this order will not affect any material uncovered by the police.
Preetham Gowda, who lost the Assembly elections in May, 2023 has been named as an accused in the fourth FIR filed against Prajwal Revanna by a woman.
Prajwal Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, faces four separate cases, all under investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). The allegations of sexual abuse emerged after pen drives containing explicit videos purportedly involving Prajwal Revanna were reportedly circulated in Hassan ahead of the Lok Sabha elections there on April 26.
