Kumaraswamy questions timing of nephew Revanna's obscene clip

JD(S) leader and former Karnataka chief minister Kumaraswamy questioned the timing of the release of the obscene videos involving his nephew and MP Prajwal Revanna.

Distancing himself from Revanna, Kumaraswamy told ANI news agency that he would wait for the special investigation committee to complete their probe.

"Who released it (videos) 3 days ago and why was it not released earlier? Why the old issue has resurfaced at the time of the election... SIT has been formed, let the truth come out and anyone who commits a mistake will have to face the consequences as per the law of the land."

He also brushed aside attempts being made to tarnish Deve Gowda's legacy by raking up thse issue.

"In Hassan's election, our candidate (Prajwal Revanna) will win. Everyone says that...I ask the Congress leaders why are you bringing the family name into this, talk about the individual, this is not a family issue...this is the matter of Revanna's family. We have nothing to do with it. They live separately," he was quoted as saying by ANI news agency.

33-year-Prajwal Revanna is the son of former prime minister and JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda’s elder son H D Revanna, who is an MLA and former minister.

Meanwhile, reports have emerged that Revanna has fled to Germany.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a Special Investigative Team to probe the matter after a letter by the Chairperson of the Women’s Commission Dr Nagalakshmi. The row kicked off after some explicit videos started doing the rounds purportedly involving Revanna.

A first information report (FIR) was filed woman who worked at Revanna's house, who alleged that she was sexually harassed by Prajwal Revanna and his father H D Revanna, an MLA representing Holenarasipur.

The woman complainant told the police that she decided to come forward and name the father-son duo after watching videos of other victims narrating their ordeal.

The woman said Prajwal Revanna began summoning her to his quarters in the fourth month of her employment.

“In a household with six female staff members, apprehension gripped us whenever Prajwal Revanna returned home. Even male colleagues cautioned us to exercise caution,” she said.

The woman alleged that HD Revanna and Prajwal Revanna sexually assaulted women workers in their homes.

“Whenever (HD) Revanna’s wife wasn’t there, he used to call the women to the storeroom and touch them while giving them fruits. He used to remove saree pins and sexually assault women,” she added.

Also read | Revanna sex-gate: Siddaramaiah forms SIT as Deve Gowda's grandson 'flees to Germany'